Synthesis of Magnetic CuFe2O4 Nanoparticles as Green Catalyst for Toluene Oxidation under Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract A green method was developed for the synthesis of CuFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles using a Neem fruit extract. The prepared nanoparticles with an average size of 19.7nm were used as an effective catalyst for the oxidation of various aryl alkanes in moderate to excellent yields under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst was characterized by powder- XRD, SEM and TEM study. The key advantages of this protocol are simple preparation, a recyclable heterogeneous catalytic system, and benign reaction condition with good to excellent yields with high selectivity toward acid (42-87%).