A magnetically recoverable copper-salen complex as a nano-catalytic system for amine protection via acetylation using thioacetic acid

A novel copper(II)-salen complex was immobilized on the surface of magnetite nanoparticles using chitosan as a linker. This system exhibits superior catalytic activity in acetyl protection of various amines with thioacetic acid as the acetylating reagent. The method has advantages over others in high selectivity, simple work-up, green reaction medium and the application of an easily recoverable heterogeneous catalyst.