Preparation and characterization of Cu supported on 2‐(1 H ‐benzo[ d ]imidazol‐2‐yl)aniline‐functionalized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles as a novel magnetic catalyst for Ullmann and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions

Copper supported on 2‐(1 H ‐benzo[ d ]imidazol‐2‐yl)aniline (BIA)‐functionalized Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (Cu‐BIA‐Si‐Fe 3 O 4 ) as a novel magnetic catalyst was designed and used for the synthesis of new products via Ullmann and Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions. The Ullmann reaction was performed by mixing arylboronic acid with aniline derivatives in dimethylsulfoxide solvent. Also, diaryls were synthesized via Suzuki C–C reactions between aryl halides and phenylboronic acid in the same solvent. The prepared materials and catalyst were characterized with various analytical techniques. The Cu‐BIA‐Si‐Fe 3 O 4 catalyst demonstrated catalytic efficiency with good to excellent yields for both types of reactions in comparison with commercial palladium catalysts. Also, the catalyst could be recovered by a simple filtration and retained its activity even after several cycles.