Direct Michael addition/decarboxylation reaction catalyzed by a composite of copper ferrite nanoparticles immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose: an eco-friendly approach for constructing 3,4-dihydrocoumarin frameworks

Abstract

A composite of copper ferrite oxide nanoparticles immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose (CuFe2O4@MCC) was synthesized. The synthesized composite was characterized by FESEM with EDS-Mapping, TEM, P-XRD, TEM, and BET analysis and investigated for its catalytic activity toward Tandem Michael addition and decarboxylation of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid with cyclic 1,3-diketones to obtain novel 3,4-dihydrocoumarin derivatives. This protocol was established with wide substrate scope and significant yield. The significant characteristics of this methodology are mild reaction conditions, easy setup procedure, non-toxic, and cost-effectiveness. A gram-scale synthesis with low catalyst loading was also demonstrated.