One‐Step Synthesis of Xanthones and Thio‐Xanthones by Using Magnetically Separable Copper ferrite Nanoparticles as a Catalyst under Ligand Free Conditions

Abstract An efficient, highly versatile and simple protocol was developed for the synthesis of xanthones and thio‐xanthones via an intermolecular catalytic coupling of 2‐substituted benzaldehydes and various phenols under ligand free conditions by using nano‐CuFe 2 O 4 as a catalyst and K 3 PO 4 as a base in DMF solvent at 80 0 C in air. The reaction proceeds smoothly with a wide range of starting materials and furthermore, the explored copper ferrite catalyst is air‐stable, inexpensive, magnetically separated, recyclable and reusable up to four cycles.