Diethylenetriamine-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide as a powerful metal-free and recoverable nanocatalyst

Synthesis of sustainable catalytic systems with high efficiency and environmental compatibility remains a critical challenge in modern organic chemistry. Although heterogeneous catalysts offer advantages such as thermal stability, ease of separation and reduced ecological impact, the design of multifunctional platforms that combine structural stability with diverse catalytic features remains a major challenge. In this study, a magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst, diethylenetriamine-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide (Fe₃O₄@GO/DETA), is synthesized via a stepwise surface modification strategy. Structural and physicochemical analyses confirmed the successful construction of the composite with preserved crystallinity and magnetic properties. The Fe₃O₄@GO/DETA nanocatalyst demonstrated high activity in the Knoevenagel reaction under green conditions and could be magnetically recovered and reused for seven cycles without significant loss of activity. This study demonstrates an effective strategy for developing highly recoverable base-functionalized nanocatalysts for environmentally benign C-C bond-forming processes.