We recently explored the ability to use magnetic nanoparticles directly as catalysts, without or with minimal functionalization.[1] We first studied reduced iron nanoparticles as an attractive replacement for platium series metals in the industrially important hydrogenation reaction. We established that iron-iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles (Fe CSNPs) are active in the hydrogenation of olefins and resilient to the presence of water.[2] We further improved this system and showed that amphiphilic polymer could further aid the protection of Fe(0) NPs.[3] These Fe CSNPs were also used as seed, reducing agents, and supports to generate copper/iron nanoparticles (Cu-Fe NPs) that are able to heterogeneously catalyze the Huisgen condensation. [4] Cu-Fe microparticles (Cu-Fe MPs), produced using the same principles, were shown to be powerful catalysts for the functionalization of biologically relevant molecules, while greatly limiting the copper contamination of the product. We fully characterized Cu-Fe NPs and MPs using TEM, EELS, EDAX and XPS to reveal that they consist of copper decorated nanoparticles and Cu-rich nanotubes. [5] Based on the same principles, we developped a Ru-Fe NPs catalytic system to transfer hydrogenate ketones.[6] Finally, carboxymethyl cellulose was used as support to access easily under microwave conditions magnetically retrievable Ag nanocatalysts, and the resulting hybrids were used as selective carbonyl hydrogenation catalysts in water.

Greener pathways to organics: Sustainable applications of magnetic nanocatalysts

255th National Meeting (2018)

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