Iron oxide nanoparticles make efficient recyclable catalysts for organic reactions say a team of scientists in Canada. 

Environmentally friendly, economical and efficient catalysts for carbon-carbon bond forming reactions are desirable for industrial chemists. Magnetically recoverable catalysts are especially attractive due to their ease of separation from the reaction mixture. Chao-Jun Li and colleagues at McGill University, Montreal, have shown that iron oxide nanoparticles are efficient magnetic catalysts that can be reused up to twelve times without losing their effectiveness. 

Immobilized or supported iron oxide nanoparticles have been used as catalysts before but their direct use without modification as magnetically recoverable catalysts for organic reactions is very rare explains Li. His team demonstrated the nanoparticles effectiveness in the synthesis of important medicinal chemistry intermediates, propargylamines. Thanks to the magnetic character of the nanoparticles, they stick onto the magnetic stirring bar and are easily separated so they can be washed before being used again. 

'The separation and reuse of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were very simple, effective and economical. In addition, the use of iron oxides as catalysts is also more environmentally friendly and safer than other transition metal catalysts' says Li. 

Unni Pillai, an expert on green chemistry and catalysis at Dow Corning Corporation, Carrollton, US, says that 'the ease of separation of these catalysts helps to avoid difficult and elaborated separation procedures involving filtration and centrifuging materials, equipments and solvents; thereby contributing immensely to the 'environmentally friendly' aspects of the process'. 

Li says the team plan to explore the catalyst for other organic reactions. 'A wide spread expansion of these catalysts' application is anticipated in the near future,' adds Pillai

Lorena Tomas Laudo 

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