In recent years, attempts to follow green protocol in organic synthesis have
emerged along with the use of green solvent, solvent-free reaction conditions, the
concept of multicomponent reactions and use of green catalysts. Fe3O4
is an oxide of
iron called magnetite mineral; it is a ferromagnetic and strongly magnetic mineral on
earth. It was the first mineral structure that was applied in X-ray. It is found that the
nanomagnetic oxide shows an inverse spinel structure. Its unique properties, such as
high Curie temperature, high spin polarization, and verwey transition, gains attention
towards it. Nano-magnetic oxide is employed as a green catalyst. It can be synthesized
by physical methods, microbial methods and wet chemical preparation methods. It
demonstrates excellent catalysis in organic synthesis that gives a good yield; it enjoys
an advantage over other catalysts as it is easily separable from the reaction mixtures
using a bar magnet, and it is green & eco-friendly. It also shows wide applications in
various fields, such as water treatment, biodiesel production, lithium-ion battery, and
the biomedical field.
Keywords: Eco-friendly, Ferromagnetic, Green catalysts, Hetero catalyst, Nanomagnetic oxide, Organic synthesis, Recyclability.
