Abstract

Introduction: The preparation and exploration of catalytic activity of nanoparticles in organic transformations have become a genuine need of clean and sustainable chemistry if they are non-toxic, readily available, and recyclable.

Experimental: Nanoparticles show the unusual or enhanced properties due to their nanosize and high surface to volume ratio. In this paper, Nanocrystalline CoFe2O4, a wellknown magnetic compound was prepared by glycine-nitrate combustion route. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) confirmed the formation of single-phasic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.

Result: The crystallite size was found to be 46 nm. BET study showed the surface area 24.2 m2/g. The catalytic behavior of as-prepared nanoparticles was studied in the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives. Various benzimidazole derivatives have been prepared in moderate to good yield in facile one-pot synthesis under mild conditions using magnetically retrievable CoFe2O4.

Conclusion: The catalyst is found to be green, efficient and economically viable.

Keywords: Cobalt ferrite nanoparticles, combustion synthesis, heterogeneous catalyst, magnetically recyclable, benzimidazole.

Graphical Abstract