Preparation and characterization of magnetic graphene nanocomposite containing Cu(proline)2 as catalyst for asymmetric aldol reactions

A new catalyst has been prepared via immobilization of Cu(proline)2 complex onto the surface of magnetic graphene. The fabricated nanocatalyst was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) techniques, and elemental analysis. Its catalytic performance was investigated in the aldol reaction using a mild and ecofriendly procedure. The synthesized nanocomposite, which contains Cu(II) center as Lewis acid, was found to be an efficient catalyst for asymmetric aldol reactions, affording corresponding aldol products in high yield and excellent enantiomeric excess (> 90 %). The examined catalyst was prepared from low-cost, easily available starting materials and can be readily isolated by magnetic decantation for recycling and reuse in consecutive reactions without significant loss of activity.