In situ decoration of Pd NPs over methotrexate encapsulated CoFe2O4 as a recyclable catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes and synthesis of diaryl sulfide derivatives

This study presents the successful immobilization of a methotrexate-palladium complex onto the surface of magnetic CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles through a simple and cost-efficient process. The environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalyst was comprehensively characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic absorption spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The catalyst demonstrated outstanding catalytic efficiency, achieving a 98% yield in the reduction of nitroarenes and facilitating the synthesis of diaryl sulfide derivatives under green conditions. Offering a practical and economical approach for immobilizing palladium-methotrexate complexes, this method serves as a promising alternative to conventional techniques in diaryl sulfide synthesis. Its advantages include easy recovery and reusable performance over four successive cycles. This catalyst holds significant potential for applications in both pharmaceutical and chemical industries.