Zn salen complex supported on MnCoFe2O4(MCF) magnetic nanoparticles as a catalyst in the synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2 (1H)-ones/thiones (Biginelli-like reaction)

In the present work, a novel Zn salen complex supported on MnCoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles, MnCoFe2O4@SiO2-Pr-NH-SA&Zn (MCF@SiO2-Pr-NH-SA&Zn) was easily synthesized by a clean method and fully characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction, Field emission-scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray analyzer, Transmission electron microscopy, Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, Thermogravimetric and Vibrating sample magnetometery analyses. Moreover, the activity of the prepared complex as a heterogeneous catalyst was investigated in Biginelli-like reaction via three component reaction ethyl acetoacetate or dimedone/ or barbituric acid, urea/ or thiourea and different aromatic aldehydes. The structure of new prepared 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2 (1H)-ones/thions was properly identified by FT-IR, H-1- and C-13-NMR spectroscopy data. Some important advantages of this procedure include easy separation of catalyst by a magnet, short reaction times, excellent yield of products, solvent free, easy work-up and reusability of the catalyst during 6 runs of the used model reaction.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel Zn salen complex supported on MnCoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles was synthesized and investigated as a heterogeneous catalyst in the Biginelli-like reaction. The catalyst showed good activity and reusability.