Synthesis of sulfonic acid-functionalized Fe3O4@C nanoparticles as magnetically recyclable solid acid catalysts for acetalization reaction

The Fe3O4@C core-shell magnetic nanoparticles with an average size of about 190 nm were synthesized via a one-pot solvothermal process using ferrocene as a single reactant. The sulfonic acid-functionalized Fe3O4@C magnetic nanoparticles were obtained by grafting the sulfonic groups on the surface of Fe3O4@C nanoparticles to produce magnetically recyclable solid acid catalysts. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic performance of the as-prepared catalysts was examined through the condensation reaction of benzaldehyde and ethylene glycol. The results showed that the catalysts exhibited high catalytic activity with a conversion rate of 88.3% under mild conditions. Furthermore, catalysts with a magnetization saturation of 53.5 emu g(-1) at room temperature were easily separated from the reaction mixture by using a 0.2 T permanent magnet and were reused 8 times without any significant decrease in catalytic activity.