Magnetic Polystyrene Nanosphere Immobilized TEMPO: A Readily Prepared, Highly Reactive and Recyclable Polymer Catalyst in the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols

Abstract The 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) radical immobilized on the magnetic polystyrene nanospheres (MPNs) was used as a recyclable catalyst in the oxidation of various alcohols. The new and simply prepared heterogeneous TEMPO/MPNs exhibits both similar versatility and efficiency to homogeneous TEMPO under basic Montanari conditions. The excellent stability of the MPNs enables the TEMPO/MPNs to be recycled more than 20 times without significant leaching of immobilized TEMPO radicals or degradation of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. Moreover, the magnetic response ensures the rapid separation and quantitative recycling of TEMPO/MPNs by simple magnetic decantation.