Magnetic BiFeO3 nanoparticles as a sustainable and efficient catalyst for the green synthesis of highly substituted imidazole derivatives

This study reports the use of magnetic bismuth ferrite, BiFeO₃, nanoparticles (BFO MNPs), as a robust and eco-friendly catalyst, for the one-pot, mild synthesis of highly substituted imidazole derivatives under solvent-free conditions, thus avoiding toxic organic solvents. The approach offers several advantages, including short reaction times, low catalyst loading, and consistently high to excellent yields with broad applicability across diverse imidazole derivatives. Furthermore, the BiFeO₃ nanocatalyst demonstrated excellent recyclability and stability, maintaining its catalytic performance over five consecutive cycles without any significant loss in its activity, thereby enabling sustainable and scalable applications. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized BiFeO₃ nanocatalyst were thoroughly characterized using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), EDS elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis. Additionally, the structures of the synthesized imidazole derivatives were confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy, FT-IR analysis, and melting point determination. Overall, this study highlights the potential of BiFeO₃ nanoparticles as a sustainable, high-performing, and environmentally benign catalyst, making a meaningful contribution to the advancement of green chemistry and innovative synthetic methodologies.