Magnetic Schiff Base Catalyst Incorporating Taxifolin and Ionic Liquid for the Efficient Conversion of Benzaldehyde

Abstract

A novel magnetic Schiff base-ionic liquid-Co(II) catalyst anchored on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂/3-CPTES nanoparticles was synthesized and evaluated for the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol derivatives to nitriles. The catalyst integrates taxifolin, an ionic liquid, and cobalt (II) chloride to create a multifunctional and recyclable system. The structural and functional properties of the catalyst were confirmed using IR, XRD, VSM, TEM, FE-SEM, and EDX analyses. Reaction optimization revealed that the use of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant under solvent-free conditions at 60°C provided the best results, with a nitrile yield of up to 85%. The catalytic system demonstrated excellent efficiency, particularly with electron-donating substituents such as OH, OMe, and Me, which enhanced reaction rates and yields. In contrast, electron-withdrawing groups like NO₂ and halogens reduced efficiency. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibited high reusability, maintaining performance even after six cycles, as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. This work presents a sustainable and efficient catalytic approach for nitrile synthesis, offering significant advantages in terms of green chemistry and operational simplicity. The catalyst's magnetic properties enable easy separation and recovery, making it a promising candidate for industrial applications