Synthesis and characterization of a magnetically separable novel Fe3O4@L-DOPA@CuII nanocatalyst (L-DOPA = L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyylalanine): Asymmetric aza-Michael addition reaction

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of new copper(II)-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyylalanine based magnetically separable nanocatalyst, namely Fe 3 O 4 @L-DOPA@Cu II (L-DOPA = L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyylalanine), are described. The catalyst has been characterized by physicochemical studies. We have studied the application of this new catalyst for asymmetric aza-Michael addition reaction. This catalyst could simply be separated and recovered from the reaction mixture with the assistance of an external magnet and reused several times.