Magnetic methylene-based mesoporous organosilica composite-supported IL/Pd: a powerful and highly recoverable catalyst for oxidative coupling of phenols and naphthols

A novel magnetic methylene-based mesoporous organosilica composite-supported IL/Pd complex (Fe₃O₄@MePMO-IL/Pd) was synthesized and characterized, and its catalytic performance was investigated. The preparation of the Fe₃O₄@MePMO composite was achieved through coating of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a mixture of tetramethoxysilane, bis(triethoxysilyl)methane, and (3-chloropropyl)-trimethoxysilane in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactant. The Fe₃O₄@MePMO was then modified with alkyl imidazolium ionic liquid and palladium species to deliver the Fe₃O₄@MePMO-IL/Pd nanocatalyst. This catalyst was characterized using Fourier transform infrared, thermal gravimetric, wide-angle powder X-ray diffraction, low-angle powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, energy-dispersive X-ray, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses. The Fe₃O₄@MePMO-IL/Pd was effectively used as a highly recoverable and durable catalyst for the selective oxidative coupling of phenols and 2-naphthols under aerobic conditions.