An Acylthiourea Ligated Fe(II) Complex on Silica Nanoparticles for Transfer Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds

Transfer hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds using a stable Fe(II) catalyst containing acylthiourea ligand on silica is described. Fe(II) complex supported on silica nanoparticles is prepared by a grafting technique and is a promising candidate in the heterogeneous catalysis. Various characterization methods demonstrate the immobilization of Fe(II)-acylthiourea on the surface of silica nanoparticles. All the tested substrates have undergone conversion smoothly in the presence of the catalyst, and the products are obtained in moderate to good yields. The heterogeneous catalyst can be easily recovered from the reaction mixture by a simple centrifugation method, and it can be reused up to eight cycles without the loss of activity.