Ionic liquid supported on magnetic nanoparticles as an efficient and reusable green catalyst for synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives under solvent and solvent-free conditions

The Fe3O4 nanoparticles and the supported ionic liquid (Fe3O4-IL) were produced and used as efficient magnetic catalysts to synthesize the benzimidazole derivatives under solvent and solvent-free conditions. Quantitative conversion of the reactants was achieved under solvent-free conditions; catalyst reusability, through convenient magnetic decantation, showing an insignificant loss in activity. The catalyst can be readily isolated by using an external magnet and no obvious loss of activity was observed when the catalyst was reused in seven consecutive runs.