Efficient C--C cross-coupling reactions by (isatin)-Schiff base functionalized magnetic nanoparticle-supported Cu(II) acetate as a magnetically recoverable catalyst

Copper catalysts were simply fabricated through surface modification of superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles with indoline-2,3-dione(isatin)-Schiff-base and interaction with Cu from low-cost commercially available starting materials. Catalysts were characterized using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating sample magnetometry, UV/Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. These catalysts showed high efficiency for phosphine-free Mizoroki--Heck and Suzuki--Miyaura cross-coupling reactions with good diversity and generality. The catalysts could be easily recovered and reused several times without a significant loss in their catalytic activity and stability.