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

Abstract

Abstract A composite of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles anchored on a carbon support (Fe 3 O 4 /C), possessing both superparamagnetism and molecular oxygen activating properties, was prepared by an ammonia‐assisted precipitation method. Fe 3 O 4 /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 Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and carbon support endow the Fe 3 O 4 /C catalyst with relatively high reducibility. Its oxidation state is easy to change. This intrinsic property of the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles could be responsible for the high activity of Fe 3 O 4 /C in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols.