Fabrication of nano-[Fe3O4@SiO2@Si-Pr-Bipyr][FeCl4] as a novel magnetic nanocatalyst, and its utility for the construction of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

Nano-[Fe3O4@SiO2@Si-Pr-Bipyr][FeCl4] (NFSPBF), as a novel magnetic nanomaterial, was fabricated, and its structure was corroborated using EDX, elemental mapping, FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, TG, and VSM analyses. In continuation, NFSPBF was employed as an efficacious catalyst for the one-pot multi-component reaction of acetoacetanilide, aryl aldehydes, and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole to give 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in high yields (86-95%) and short times (10-15 min). NFSPBF could act as a dual-functional catalyst; FeCl4− of nano-[Fe3O4@SiO2@Si-Pr-Bipyr][FeCl4] is a Lewis acid, and its pyridine moiety is a base. It was reusable for two times without a remarkable decrement in its catalytic performance. Research Highlights • Fabrication of nano-[Fe3O4@SiO2@Si-Pr-Bipyr][FeCl4] as a novel magnetic nanocatalyst was introduced. • Full characterization of the nanocatalyst was performed. • Utility of the catalyst for the construction of 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines was checked. • Constructing 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines in high yields and short times were obtained. • Proposing a mechanism based on dual-functionality of the catalyst was provided.