Copper ferrite nanoparticle-mediated N-arylation of heterocycles: a ligand-free reaction

The synergistic effects of iron and copper in copper ferrite nanoparticles for the N-arylation of heterocycles with aryl halides were demonstrated. The magnetic nature of the catalyst facilitates its removal from the reaction medium for further use. Negligible leaching of Cu and Fe in consecutive cycles makes the catalyst economical and environmentally benign for C-N cross-coupling reactions. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.