Iron Complexes Anchored onto Magnetically Separable Graphene Oxide Sheets: An Excellent Catalyst for the Synthesis of Dihydroquinazoline-Based Compounds

In this work, a green, sustainable, and efficient protocol for the syntheses of dihydroquinazoline derivatives is proposed. Initially, three Schiff base complexes of iron containing the ligand (2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diyl)bis(azanylylidene)bis(methanylylidene)bis(2,4-Xphenol), where X = Cl (complex 1)/Br (complex 2)/I (complex 3), were synthesized, fully characterized, and used in the desired syntheses. Complex 1 excelled as a catalyst, closely followed by complexes 2 and 3. DFT calculations helped in rationalizing the role of the halide substituent in the ligand backbone as a relevant factor in the catalytic superiority of complex 1 over complexes 2 and 3 for the synthesis of the dihydroquinazoline derivatives. Finally, to facilitate catalyst recoverability and reusability, complex 1 was immobilized on GO@Fe3O4@APTES (GO, graphene oxide; APTES, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) to generate GO@Fe3O4@APTES@FeL1 (GOTESFe). GOTESFe was thoroughly characterized through scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and efficiently used for the synthesis of dihydroquinazoline derivatives. GOTESFe could be magnetically recovered and reused up to five cycles without compromising its catalytic efficiency. Therefore, immobilization of the chosen iron complex onto magnetic GO sheets offers an extremely competent route in providing a blueprint of a readily recoverable, reusable, robust, and potent catalyst for the synthesis of dihydroquinazoline-based compounds.