One-pot synthesis of imines by direct coupling of alcohols and amines over magnetically recoverable CdFe2O4 nanocatalyst

[Display omitted] •Synthesized magnetically recoverable CdFe2O4 nanocatalyst using citrate as a precursor.•CdFe2O4 nanoferrite characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM and TEM.•CdFe2O4 used as a catalyst via coupling of benzylalcohol and benzylamine in solvent-free conditions.•Magnetically recovered catalyst can be reused several times without significant loss of activity. A magnetically recoverable CdFe2O4 nanocatalyst (MRCFNC) has been prepared by the citrate precursor method. The MRCFNC with an average particle size of 15–20 nm was found to be a highly proficient green catalyst. They are used to synthesize of imines in the liquid phase via the coupling of benzylalcohol and benzylamine. They catalyze two distinct processes, such as oxidation of benzylalcohol to benzylaldehyde followed by imine formation in a single reaction vessel. The highest yield (98%) of the desired imine was achieved while the reaction was carried out in the solvent-free system. Based on the optimized results, further experiments were conducted under solvent-free conditions. This method has a flexible scope for diverse benzylicalcohols, arylamines and the catalyst can be reused numerous times without significant loss of its catalytic proficiency.