Magnetically nano core–shell Fe3O4@Cu(OH)x: a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for rapid and green reduction of nitro compounds

Magnetically separable nano core–shell Fe3O4@Cu(OH)x with 22 % Cu content was prepared by the addition of sodium hydroxide to a mixture of CuCl2·2H2O and nano Fe3O4 in water. Characterization of the impregnated copper hydroxide was carried out by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), value stream mapping (VSM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The core–shell nanocatalyst exhibited the excellent catalytic activity toward reduction of various nitro compounds to the corresponding amines with NaBH4. All reactions were carried out in H2O (55–60 °C) within 3–15 min to afford amines in high to excellent yields. Reusability of core–shell Cu(OH)x catalyst was examined 9 times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.