Nano magnetic sulfated zirconia (Fe3O4@ZrO2/SO42−): an efficient solid acid catalyst for the green synthesis of α-aminonitriles and imines

Abstract

In this research, nano magnetic sulfated zirconia was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and vibrational sample magnetometry (VSM). Its catalytic activity was investigated for the one-pot three component green synthesis of α-aminonitriles using various aldehydes and ketones at room temperature in ethanol. This protocol has various advantages such as: simple work-up, short reaction time, high product yields and easy recovery and reusability of the catalyst.