In this research, a novel magnetic nanocatalyst based on iron oxide nanoparticles linked with pyridinium hydrotribromide (Fe3O4@PyHBr3) was synthesized in three steps. In the first step, 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) was
reacted with 4-(bromomethyl)pyridine hydrobromide. In the second step, the product obtained in the first step was reacted with iron oxide nanoparticles. In the last step, a grinding reaction was carried out with KBr and HIO4 in a mortar.
The Fe3O4@PyHBr3 nanocatalyst was characterized by FT-IR, CHN, XRD, SEM, TGA and VSM analysis. The magnetic
nanocatalyst was used as a catalyst for the selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones using 30% H2O2 as
oxidant in a short time and with high yields. Moreover, no overoxidation of the alcohols was observed. The nanocatalyst
was efficiently recycled in five consecutive cycles without significant loss of its catalytic activity. Moreover, trimethylsilylation and tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols were carried out in the presence of this nanocatalyst.