Fe3O4@SiO2@l-arginine@Pd(0): a new magnetically retrievable heterogeneous nanocatalyst with high efficiency for C-C bond formation

The surface of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles was modified using l-arginine as a green and available amino acid to trap palladium nanoparticles through a strong interaction between the metal nanoparticles and functional groups of the amino acid. The proposed green synthetic method takes advantage of nontoxic reagents through a simple procedure. Characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2@l-arginine@Pd(0) was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry and inductively coupled plasma analysis. The catalytic activity of Fe3O4@SiO2@l-arginine@Pd(0) as a new nanocatalyst was investigated in C-C coupling reactions. Waste-free, use of green medium, efficient synthesis leading to high yield of products, eco-friendly and economic catalyst, excellent reusability of the nanocatalyst and short reaction time are the main advantages of the method presented. Copyright (c) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.