MgBr2 supported on Fe3O4@SiO2 ~ urea nanoparticle: An efficient catalyst for ortho‐formylation of phenols and oxidation of benzylic alcohols

Urea was successfully immobilized on the surface of chloropropyl‐modified Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core–shell magnetic nanoparticles, then supported by MgBr₂ and acts as a unique catalyst for oxidation of benzylic alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, and ortho‐formylation of phenols to salicylaldehydes. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FT‐IR, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, CHN and TGA. It was found that Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ ~ urea/MgBr₂ showed higher catalytic activity than homogenous MgBr₂, and could be reused several times without significant loss of activity.