ZnCl2 supported on Fe3O4@SiO2 core–shell nanocatalyst for the synthesis of quinolines via Friedländer synthesis under solvent‐free condition

A magnetic nanocatalyst of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/ZnCl₂ was prepared by supporting ZnCl₂ on silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles of Fe₃O₄. This recoverable catalyst was used for the synthesis of quinolines via Friedländer synthesis from 2‐aminoaryl ketones and α‐methylene ketones under solvent‐free condition. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FT‐IR, TEM, SEM, XRD, EDX, ICP‐OES, VSM and BET. It was found that Fe₃O₄@SiO₂/ZnCl₂ showed higher catalytic activity than homogenous ZnCl₂, and could be reused several times without significant loss of activity.