A hexaphenylbenzene based AIEE active probe for the preparation of ferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles: facile synthesis and catalytic applications

Fluorescent aggregates formed by self-assembly of a hexaphenyl-benzene based derivative 3 serve as a reactor and a stabilizer for the formation of ferromagnetic iron oxide (alpha-Fe2O3) nanoparticles in aqueous medium at room temperature. These alpha-Fe2O3 nanoparticles showed excellent catalytic activity in palladium, copper and amine free Sonogashira cross coupling reactions and also in photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye.