Direct Michael addition/decarboxylation reaction catalyzed by a composite of copper ferrite nanoparticles immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose: an eco-friendly approach for constructing 3,4-dihydrocoumarin frameworks

A composite of copper ferrite oxide nanoparticles immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose (CuFe 2 O 4 @MCC) was synthesized. The synthesized composite was characterized by FESEM with EDS-Mapping, TEM, P-XRD, TEM, and BET analysis and investigated for its catalytic activity toward Tandem Michael addition and decarboxylation of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid with cyclic 1,3-diketones to obtain novel 3,4-dihydrocoumarin derivatives. This protocol was established with wide substrate scope and significant yield. The significant characteristics of this methodology are mild reaction conditions, easy setup procedure, non-toxic, and cost-effectiveness. A gram-scale synthesis with low catalyst loading was also demonstrated. Composites of copper ferrite oxide nanoparticles immobilized on microcrystalline cellulose were synthesized and studied for their catalytic activity toward the preparation of novel 3,4-dihydrocoumarin derivatives.