Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Anchored on Carbon Serve the Dual Role of Catalyst and Magnetically Recoverable Entity in the Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols.

A composite of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles anchored on a carbon support (Fe₃O₄/C), possessing both superparamagnetism and molecular oxygen activating properties, was prepared by an ammonia-assisted precipitation method. Fe₃O₄/C could catalyze the selective oxidation of various benzyl alcohols with air as the oxidant source, and could be easily separated and recycled with an external magnet. The small particle size and the interaction between the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and carbon support endow the Fe₃O₄/C catalyst with relatively high reducibility. Its oxidation state is easy to change. This intrinsic property of the Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles could be responsible for the high activity of Fe₃O₄/C in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]