A one-pot synthesis of 5,5-disubstituted hydantoin derivatives using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst

A facile and rapid method for the one-pot synthesis of 5,5-disubstituted hydantoins in the presence of magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles has been developed. The multicomponent reactions of carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones), potassium cyanide and ammonium carbonate were carried out under solvent-free conditions to obtain various hydantoin derivatives. The magnetic catalyst could be readily separated by an external magnet from the reaction mixture. This procedure has many advantages, such as the use of a reusable magnetic catalyst, high yields, short reaction times, simplicity and very easiness with implementing the methodology.