Bifunctional Polyethylene Glycol/ethylenediamine Nanomagnetic Phase-Transfer Catalyst: Preparation, Characterization, and Application in Knoevenagel Condensation

In the present study, an efficient and recyclable heterogeneous phase-transfer catalyst was prepared through the functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with ethylenediamine and polyethylene glycol. After being characterized by various physico-chemical techniques, the bifunctional magnetic nanocomposite was used as a heterogeneous phase-transfer catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation of aryl aldehydes with active methylene compounds under mild and green conditions. This procedure has several advantages such as high yield of products, short time of reaction, easy workup, mild reaction conditions, low amount of catalyst, and catalyst recoverability.