Magnetic nano-organocatalysts: impact of surface functionalization on catalytic activity

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles (γ-Fe₂O₃) have been synthesized using soft chemistry in aqueous media. The particles were then stabilized on a surface using bifunctional coating agents bearing terminal functional groups which enable post functionalization with the desired catalyst (proline derivatives, peptides). The hybrid nanomaterials were characterized with various techniques in order to determine their properties. The catalysts’ activities were evaluated using aldolization and 1,4-Michael addition as model reactions. For both reactions the crucial impact of the nanocatalyst surface functionalisation on the catalytic properties is demonstrated. For the Michael addition, good selectivity was achieved using a small amount of nano-catalyst.