Synthesis and characterization of a novel nanomagnetic phase-transfer catalyst and its application to regioselective synthesis of β-azido and β-nitro alcohols in water

Immobilization of polyethylene glycol-substituted 1-methylimidazolium bromide on the surface of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles through hexane-1,6-diyldicarbamate linker afforded a powerful and reusable heterogeneous phase-transfer catalysis which was successfully used for regioselective ring opening of epoxides with azide and nitrite anions in aqueous medium. The new catalyst can readily be recovered by simple magnetic decantation and recycled several times without appreciable loss of catalytic activity.