New and robust magnetically recoverable catalyst for the green synthesis of benzothiazoles and benzoxazoles

Abstract

In this study, we present the development of a groundbreaking, magnetically reusable nanocatalyst designed to streamline the condensation reactions of 2-aminobenzenethiol and 2-aminophenol derivatives with aryl nitriles. This process results in the efficient formation of various 2-substituted benzoxazole and benzothiazole derivatives, all while adhering to environmentally friendly practices. The catalyst employed in our research is a complex formed from 4-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)benzene-1,2-diol and CuCl₂, which is skillfully immobilized on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, yielding the composite known as Fe₃O₄@Diol-AHEB-CuCl₂. The remarkable efficiency of this catalytic system is evident from the high to outstanding yields achieved for all products, showcasing its superior catalytic performance. Furthermore, our experimental findings reveal the impressive durability of the Fe₃O₄@Diol-AHEB-CuCl₂ catalyst, as it maintains its catalytic activity even after being recycled and reused up to eight times without a significant decline in performance. This study highlights the considerable advantages offered by this innovative catalytic approach over traditional methods, which include heightened efficiency in product yield, minimized reaction times, the use of ethanol as a green solvent, straightforward isolation of the catalyst, and a robust activity profile. These features collectively underscore the promising outlook for this catalytic system in the synthesis of valuable chemical compounds.