Montmorillonite clay modified by CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the solvent-free microwave-assisted synthesis of 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones

In this study, montmorillonite clay (MT) was modified for the first time with CuFe₂O₄ spinel ferrite nanoparticles and assessed as a recyclable catalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones under solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions with a high to excellent yield. The morphology and chemistry of the CuFe₂O₄@MT (CuF@MT) nanocomposite were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images, transmission electron microscope images, and vibrating sample magnetometer curve analyses. The results indicated the presence of CuFe₂O₄ with a tetragonal structure, a consistent distribution, and no aggregation at MT. The findings further indicated that CuF@MT's superior magnetic characteristics led to its use as a heterogeneous catalyst in manufacturing 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. This technique offers various advantages, including mild reaction conditions, high efficiency, and fast recovery of the nanocatalyst.