Fe3O4@SiO2-APTES-PW12 nanoparticles: Highly efficient catalysts for the synthesis of amide derivatives

A new type of magnetically-recoverable catalyst was synthesized by the immobilization of H3PW12O40 on the surface of silica-encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. A series of novel amide derivatives has been synthesized by the reaction of benzylalcohol and nitriles in the presence of the Fe3O4@SiO2- APTES-PW12 nanoparticles, in high yields.Fe3O4@SiO2-APTES-PW12was recycled and no appreciable change in activity was noticed after six cycles.