Magnetically recoverable CuFe2O4 nanoparticles as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for green formylation of alcohols

Abstract

In this article, magnetically nanoparticles (MNPs) of CuFe2O4 were prepared and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Super paramagnetic CuFe2O4 was used as an efficient catalyst for green formylation of structurally diverse alcohols to the corresponding formyl esters using formic acid as a solvent (60-70 °C). All reactions were carried out successfully within 1-120 min to afford the products in 76-96 % yields. Reusibility of CuFe2O4 MNPs was examined 5 times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.