Rationally designed Cu(II) Schiff base metal complex anchored on NiFe2O4@Chitosan: An efficient heterogeneous and magnetically retrievable hybrid nanocatalyst for the one-pot multi-component synthesis of bioactive 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthols

We reported, herein, the fabrication of Cu(II) Schiff base metal complex, immobilized on chitosan surface coated on NiFe2O4 MNPs, intended as a novel heterogeneous and magnetically recyclable nanocatalyst, NiFe2O4@CS@CuSB. The synthesis process starts with the preparation of NiFe2O4 MNPs, followed by coating with chitosan and then subsequent immobilization of the Cu(II) Schiff base metal complex on its surface. Through comprehensive characterization of the prepared nanocatalyst using FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, SAED, VSM, BET, XPS, and ICP-AES, the structure, surface morphology, elemental composition, and characteristics of the catalyst are revealed. For the evaluation of its catalytic activity, NiFe2O4@CS@CuSB has been utilized as a potential nanocatalyst for the one-pot multicomponent organic synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthol scaffolds. A straightforward, effective, one-pot, and environmentally safe synthesis of 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthol has been accomplished using a broad range of aldehydes, 2-naphthol, urea, or amide, demonstrating the catalyst's strong resistance to different functionalities. High yields of the intended products have been obtained without the formation of byproducts. A hot filtration test was employed to evaluate the heterogeneity of the solid nanocatalyst. With potential uses in medicinal chemistry, this novel catalyst presents a viable method for the effective production of bioactive molecules.