Vol. 11, Issue 5 (2023)

This study represents a magnetically recoverable nickel-supported iron oxide (Ni/Fe₃O₄) catalyst as a breakthrough technique for the synthesis of aromatic 2-oxazolines. The Ni/Fe₃O₄ catalyst has outstanding flexibility and can efficiently convert several aromatic nitriles and amino-alcohols into the desired aryl-2-oxazoline outputs. The high level of catalytic activity resulting in competent conversion of the starting materials to the desired products is a remarkable feature of the catalytic platform we have developed. The use of an external magnetic field enhances the ease with which the catalyst can be separated from the reaction mixture, thereby speeding up the purification process and reducing the dependence on chemicals and energy that is typically associated with conventional separation techniques. This approach offers both ecological and practical benefits, making it ideal for possible larger-scale applications. Notably, our catalytic design is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional reusability. The Ni/Fe₃O₄ catalyst retains its catalytic activity over numerous cycles, ensuring consistent performance. In particular, there is no significant reduction in the catalytic efficiency of the catalyst after five consecutive recycling runs. This study presents a sustainable approach to aromatic 2-oxazoline synthesis, improves its economics through reduced catalyst consumption and confirms the durability and stability of Ni/Fe₃O₄ catalyst under given reaction conditions. The study utilises a magnetically recoverable Ni/Fe₃O₄ catalyst. This is an innovative and promising catalyst. Its potential as a valuable tool in the synthetic chemist's toolkit is highlighted by its broad substrate compatibility, enhanced catalytic efficiency, easy catalyst recovery and impressive recyclability.