Synthesis of 8-Aryl-7H-acenaphtho[1,2-d]imidazoles Using Fe3O4 NPs@GO@C4H8SO3H as a Green and Recyclable Magnetic Nanocatalyst

A general procedure has been developed for the rapid synthesis of 8-aryl-7H-acenaphtho[1,2-d]imidazoles in high yields using Fe3O4 NPs@GO@C4H8SO3H as a green and recyclable magnetic nanocatalyst under reflux conditions. The nanocatalyst was prepared and characterized by FT-IR, XRD, and EDX data. A variety of aromatic aldehydes underwent condensation with NH4OAc and acenaphthenequinone to give 8-aryl-7H-acenaphtho[1,2-d]imidazole derivatives. The use of magnetic nanoparticles, easy separation of the catalyst with an external magnet, high yields, and short reaction times are the main advantages of this catalytic method.