Preparation and characterization of NiFe2O4/Cu(OH)2 magnetic nanocatalyst and its use in one-pot synthesis of β-chloroacetates from epoxides

Magnetic nanoparticles of nickel ferrite were synthesized through a solid-state procedure and then calcined at high temperatures. In order to prevent oxidation and aggregation and also increase the quantity of functional groups on the surface of nanocatalyst, the NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were modified by copper hydroxide in alkaline medium and magnetic nanocomposite of NiFe2O4/Cu(OH)2 was successfully obtained. The synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by VSM, FT-IR, EDS, SEM, TEM and XRD techniques and then used as a new catalyst in the one-pot efficient conversion of different epoxides bearing aryl, allyl and alkyl substituents to the corresponding β-chloroesters in the presence of nickel chloride and acetic anhydride at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. Synthesis of β-chloroesters was carried out within 10-32 min with 80-96% yields. The magnetic nanocatalyst was easily separated using a simple magnet and reused in consecutive cycles without any significant loss of catalytic activity or magnetic property.