CuFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticle catalyzed odorless synthesis of sulfides using phenylboronic acid and aryl halides in the presence of S8

CuFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles were prepared, characterized and used as a magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of phenyl aryl/heteroaryl/benzyl sulfides through the cross-coupling reaction of phenylboronic acid with aryl/heteroaryl/benzyl halides in the presence of S8 as a sulfur source in PEG400 as a reusable solvent at 80 degree C. Also, the synthesis of symmetrical sulfides from aryl/heteroaryl halides using S8, KF and Cs2CO3 in PEG400 at 120 degree C is described. The magnetic nanocatalyst was recycled up to 6 times with little loss of activity.