Fe3O4 nanoparticles/ethyl acetoacetate system for the efficient catalytic oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids

Abstract A new methodology for the oxidation of aldehydes promoted by commercially available Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 NPs) activated by ethyl acetoacetate was developed. The use of ethyl acetoacetate as additive was crucial to achieve high reactivities. All reactions were realized under solvent free conditions, using air or t BuOOH as oxidants. Finally, the separation and reuse of the magnetically recoverable nanoparticles make this methodology very practical, simple and economical.