Synthesis of novel magnetic nanoparticles with urea or urethane moieties: Applications as catalysts in the Strecker synthesis of α-aminonitriles

Four novel magnetic nanoparticle catalysts with urea or urethane moieties are reported. The silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles were simply functionalized via addition of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propylisocyanate (TESPIC), amine or amino alcohol. TESPIC with dual labile functional groups was used as a suitable precursor for the synthesis of urethane-based catalysts. The newly synthesized catalysts were fully characterized using a variety of techniques. These functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were used as reusable catalysts in the Strecker synthesis of alpha-aminonitrile derivatives under solvent-free conditions at 50 degrees C.