Preparation and Characterization of a Molybdenum(VI) Schiff Base Complex as Magnetic Nanocatalyst for Synthesis of 2-Amino-4H-benzo[h]chromenes

A new recoverable molybdenum nanocatalyst was prepared by immobilization  of a Schiff base ligand on the surface of silica coated magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2) through condensation reaction between 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane and 2-hydroxy1-naphthaldehyde and succeeding reaction with dioxomolybdenum(VI) acetylacetonate (MoO2(acac)2). The synthesized catalyst was characterized by inductively coupled plasma, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, Energy-dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared and X-raydiffraction spectroscopy. Catalytic performance of the synthesized nanocatalyst was investigated for the preparation of 2-amino-4H-benzo[h]chromenes. The compounds were prepared high yield through one-pot, three-component reaction of 1-naphthol, various of aldehydes and malonitrile in the presence of nanocatalyst, Fe3O4@SiO2@Mo-Schiff base, under solvent-free conditions. The benefits of this protocol are short reaction time, simple work-up procedure, high yields and use of the concept of green chemistry. The magnetic nanocatalyst could be separated easily from the reaction media using an external magnetic field and reused in subsequent catalytic runs without significant deterioration of its activity.