Knoevenagel Condensation of Aldehydes and Ketones with Malononitrile Catalyzed by Amine Compounds-Tethered Fe.sub.3O.sub.4@SiO.sub.2 Nanoparticles

A new magnetic nanoparticle supported-catalyst was developed for the Knoevenagel condensation between malononitrile and several aldehydes. The Fe.sub.3O.sub.4@SiO.sub.2-3N (where 3N = N.sup.1-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)diethylenetriamine) catalyst was characterized by XRD, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The reactions provide excellent yields in a shorter reaction time in relation to others reported in the literature. The catalyst was easily recovered and reused until six times without significant loss of its catalytic capacity.