Anchoring Ni (II) on Fe3O4@tryptophan: A recyclable, green and extremely efficient magnetic nanocatalyst for one-pot synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles and chemoselective oxidation of sulfides and thiols

A green, novel and extremely efficient nanocatalyst was successfully synthesized by the immobilization of Ni as a transition metal on Fe3O4 nanoparticles coated with tryptophan. This nanostructured material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and X-ray diffraction. The prepared nanocatalyst was applied for the oxidation of sulfides, oxidative coupling of thiols and synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles. The use of non-toxic, green and inexpensive materials, easy separation of magnetic nanoparticles from a reaction mixture using a magnetic field, efficient and one-pot synthesis, and high yields of products are the most important advantages of this nanocatalyst.