ZnFe2O4@SiO2@AC Magnetic Nanocomposite as an Efficient Catalyst for Ultrasound-Assisted Azidation of Aryl Halides to Aryl Amines.

In this study, a novel ZnFe2O4@SiO2@AC nanocomposite catalyst was synthesized, demonstrating a reliable approach that underscores its innovative potential in the azidation of aryl halides, followed by their conversion to aryl amines. The catalytic system operates efficiently in ethanol under ultrasound irradiation at 60°C, providing a green, sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic methods. The core-shell structure of ZnFe2O4@SiO2@AC enhances catalytic activity and stability, facilitating high yields of the target aryl amines with excellent selectivity. Techniques employed to characterize the resulting nanocatalyst included X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating-sample magnetometry, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, ensuring characterization of its structural, magnetic, and surface properties. Notably, the catalyst exhibited excellent recyclability, maintaining catalytic activity over six successive cycles with minimal deactivation, highlighting its robustness and suitability for sustainable catalytic applications in organic synthesis. The use of ultrasound conditions provides improved mass transfer and reaction kinetics, reducing reaction time and energy consumption, further enhancing the ecofriendly nature of the process. This work highlights the potential of multifunctional nanocomposites in ecofriendly organic transformations and underscores the role of sonochemistry in promoting efficient catalytic processes.