A Pd-containing ionic liquid modified magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite (Fe3O4/GO–IL–Pd) as a powerful catalyst for the reduction of nitrobenzenes

Abstract

A novel palladium-containing ionic liquid-modified magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄/GO–IL–Pd) is synthesized and its catalytic performance is studied in the reduction of nitrobenzenes. The Fe₃O₄/GO–IL–Pd nanocomposite was characterized by using FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, EDS, VSM, and TG analyses. These analyses showed good magnetic properties and high stability of the designed composite. Different derivatives of nitrobenzenes were applied as substrates, giving corresponding anilines in high to excellent yields (89–96%) at short reaction times (10–15 minutes). Also, the stability, reproducibility, and reusability of the Fe₃O₄/GO–IL–Pd nanocomposite were investigated under applied conditions. A leaching experiment was also performed to study the nature of the Fe₃O₄/GO–IL–Pd catalyst under the conditions used.