Abstract

Fe₃O4₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared via a chemical co-precipitation method. Then, the surface of Fe₃O4₄ MNPs was modified by (3-Chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane and then two Schiffbase complexes of zirconium oxide and copper were stabilized on modified Fe₃O4₄ MNPs. These catalysts were characterized using SEM, EDS, WDX, FTIR, XRD, TGA, VSM and AAS techniques. The catalytic activity of these catalysts was described in the carbon-carbon coupling reaction. VSM analysis of these catalysts indicates the high magnetic performance; therefore these catalysts can be recovered by an external magnet and reused several times without reducing the number of catalysts. Reusability, excellent yields and high TON values indicate the high efficiency of these catalysts. Leaching of these catalysts was studied by AAS which leaching of copper or zirconium was not observed. Also, the stability of these catalysts was confirmed by the characterization of recovered catalysts and comparing to fresh catalysts.

Keywords: Copper, zirconium oxide, magnetic nanoparticles, C-C coupling reaction, biphenyl, Schiff-base complexes.