Chiral Modification of Ferrite Nanoparticles for Oxidative Kinetic Resolution of Benzoins

Abstract

AbstractWe report the surface modification of ferrite nanoparticles (MFe2O4 NPs; M= Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) with chiral surfactants derived from cinchona alkaloids. The successful synthesis of chiral ferrites were characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). These chiral materials were highly active in the oxidative kinetic resolution (OKR) of racemic benzoins. Remarkably gemini surfactant modified Fe3O4 NPs were found to be a potential candidate in the OKR and (R)‐benzoin was isolated with 97% enantiomeric excess (ee). The sustainability of our catalyst has been demonstrated in the gram scale synthesis of (R)‐furoin (93% ee). The recyclability studies have also been performed and found that it could be recyclable with decrease in ee.