Copper complex supported on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles: an ecofriendly catalyst for C–S and C–Se coupling reactions

Research on the preparation of diallyl sulfides and selenides is always an important challenge among chemists because these compounds are of high biological, pharmaceutical, industrial and chemical importance. For this purpose, in this attractive and highly efficient approach, we wish to report that copper (I) chloride immobilized on magnetic nanoparticles modified with benzothiazole–pyrimidine ligand (Fe₃O₄@BTH-Pyr-CuCl) is a novel and efficient magnetically recoverable catalyst for C–S and C–Se bonds formation through reaction of a category of heterocyclic compounds with aryl iodides, sulfur and selenium sources. The structure of Fe₃O₄@BTH-Pyr-CuCl nanocatalyst was well identified with FT-IR, SEM, TEM, EDX, elemental mapping, TGA, XRD, VSM and ICP-OES techniques. The recycling tests confirmed that the Fe₃O₄@BTH-Pyr-CuCl nanocatalyst was reused for 6 times without considerable reduction in its activity. This method is almost better than other methods reported in the literature for C–S and C–Se coupling of heterocycles for the following reasons, such as the use of an environmentally friendly solvent, high yields of products, the use of a catalyst that can be separated and reused and the performance of the reaction in a shorter time, presentation of well-analysis for catalyst and full NMR for products.