Colloid & Nanoscience Journal

Colloid & Nanoscience Journal

Silica sulfuric acid-modified ZrFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles as an eco-friendly catalyst for the one-pot three-component synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maryam Borzooei
Masoomeh Norouzi
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ilam University, P.O. Box 69315516, Ilam, Iran
10.61882/CNJ.3.4.742
Abstract
Magnetic nanoparticle-based supported catalysts are a promising class of stable and recyclable materials for green organic reactions. In this study, a novel sulfonic acid-functionalized zirconium ferrite nanostructure (ZrFe₂O₄@SiO₂–SO₃H) was successfully synthesized and characterized by fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image, X-ray atomic mapping spectrum, spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, brunauer, emmett, teller (BET)/ Langmuir plot and vibrating-sample magnetometry (VSM) analyses, confirming its well-designed core-shell structure. This magnetic nanocatalyst exhibits a high density of Brønsted acid sites along with easy magnetic separation, providing an efficient and reusable substrate for organic reactions. Its catalytic activity was investigated in the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran derivatives, where the reactions proceeded in a short time with good to excellent yields (up to 98%) under mild conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst maintained its high performance over five consecutive cycles without significant loss of efficiency, indicating its remarkable chemical stability and magnetic recyclability. These results demonstrate the strong potential of ZrFe₂O₄@SiO₂–SO₃H as a robust and environmentally friendly nanocatalyst for high-yield organic syntheses and emphasize the importance of sulfonic acid-functionalized systems in the design of recyclable catalytic platforms.

Graphical Abstract

Silica sulfuric acid-modified ZrFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles as an eco-friendly catalyst for the one-pot three-component synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran
Keywords
Zirconium Ferrite nanoparticles
catalyst
sulfonic acid
Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyran
 
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Colloid & Nanoscience Journal
Volume 3, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 742-752

  • Receive Date 19 December 2025
  • Revise Date 29 January 2026
  • Accept Date 02 February 2026