A multidentate copper complex on magnetic biochar nanoparticles as a practical and recoverable nanocatalyst for the selective synthesis of tetrazole derivatives

Abstract

Waste recycling, novel and easy methods of recycling catalysts, use of green solvents, use of selective catalysts and preventing the production of by-products are the most important principles of green chemistry and modern technology. Therefore, in this work, biochar nanoparticles (B-NPs) were synthesized by the pyrolysis of chicken manure as a novel method for waste recycling. Subsequently, the B-NPs were magnetized by Fe(0) nanoparticles to improve the easy recovery of biochar. Then, the surface of biochar magnetic nanoparticles (FeB-MNPs) was modified by (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane (3Cl-PTMS). Finally, a multidentate copper complex of 2,2′-(propane-1,3-diylbis(oxy))dianiline (P.bis(OA)) was immobilized on the surface of modified FeB-MNPs, which was labeled as Cu-P.bis(OA)@FeB-MNPs. Cu-P.bis(OA)@FeB-MNPs was investigated as a commercial, homoselective, practical, and recyclable nanocatalyst in the synthesis of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazole compounds through the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of sodium azide (NaN₃) and organo-nitriles in polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG-400) as a green solvent. Cu-P.bis(OA)@FeB-MNPs was characterized using wavelength dispersive X-ray (WDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and N₂ adsorption–desorption (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method) techniques. Cu-P.bis(OA)@FeB-MNPs was recovered and reused for several runs in the synthesis of tetrazoles.