Greener Route for Synthesis of aryl and alkyl-14H-dibenzo [a.j] xanthenes using Graphene Oxide-Copper Ferrite Nanocomposite as a Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst

A facile, efficient and environmentally-friendly protocol for the synthesis of xanthenes by graphene oxide based nanocomposite (GO-CuFe(2)O(4)) has been developed by one-pot condensation route. The nanocomposite was designed by decorating copper ferrite nanoparticles on graphene oxide (GO) surface via a solution combustion route without the use of template. The as-synthesized GO-CuFe(2)O(4) composite was comprehensively characterized by XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, EDX, HRTEM with EDS mapping, XPS, N(2) adsorption-desorption and ICP-OES techniques. This nanocomposite was then used in an operationally simple, cost effective, efficient and environmentally benign synthesis of 14H-dibenzo xanthene under solvent free condition. The present approach offers several advantages such as short reaction times, high yields, easy purification, a cleaner reaction, ease of recovery and reusability of the catalyst by a magnetic field. Based upon various controlled reaction results, a possible mechanism for xanthene synthesis over GO-CuFe(2)O(4) catalyst was proposed. The superior catalytic activity of the GO-CuFe(2)O(4) nanocomposite can be attributed to the synergistic interaction between GO and CuFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles, high surface area and presence of small sized CuFe(2)O(4) NPs. This versatile GO-CuFe(2)O(4) nanocomposite synthesized via combustion method holds great promise for applications in wide range of industrially important catalytic reactions.