Magnetically recoverable lanthanum hydroxide as an efficient catalyst for Aerobic Oxidative Conversions of primary alcohols to the nitriles

Herein we report a novel magnetically recoverable lanthanum hydroxide nanoparticles for oxidative synthesis of nitriles directly from corresponding alcohols with ammonia as nitrogen source. The procedure for the preparation and characterization of La(OH)₃/Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles were investigated and the scope and generality of the method was explored for a series of structurally diverse primary alcohols with electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups. The best result was observed when 5 mol% of La with respect to the benzyl alcohol was used at reflux condition under O₂ atmosphere. The La(OH)₃/Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles could be easily isolated from the reaction mixture with an external magnet and reused at least 5 times without significant loss in activity.