A novel Cu complex coated on hercynite magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and recoverable nanocatalyst for the selective synthesis of tetrazoles

In this study, hercynite magnetic nanoparticles (FeAl₂O₄ MNPs) were synthesized using commercially available materials, including FeCl₂.4H₂O and Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O. The surface of FeAl₂O₄ MNPs was encapsulated using silica and then modified by 3-aminooropropyltrimtoxysilane (APTMS). The modified FeAl₂O₄ MNPs were further functionalized with tris(hydroxymethyl)amino methane (THAM). Finally, a new copper complex of THAM was stabilized on the surface of functionalized FeAl₂O₄ MNPs (Cu-THAM@SiO₂@FeAl₂O₄) as a novel, magnetically recoverable, practical, and selective nanocatalyst. The nanocatalyst was characterized using a range of techniques, including atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray-mapping analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), derivative thermogravimetric (DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results showed that Cu-THAM@SiO₂@FeAl₂O₄ nanocatalyst was highly efficiency, good selectivity, and excellent reusability in the synthesis of tetrazole derivatives through [3 + 2] cycloaddition of sodium azide (NaN₃) with organic nitrile derivatives.