Surface functionalization of nano-magnetic nanoparticles is a well-designed way to bridge the gap between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. The introduction of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in a variety of solid matrices allows the combination of well-known procedures for catalyst heterogenization with techniques for magnetic separation. Magnetite is a well-known material, also known as ferrite (Fe₃O₄), and can be used as a versatile support for functionalization of metals, organocatalysts, N-heterocyclic carbenes, and chiral catalysts. It is used as a support for important homogeneous catalytically active metals such as Pd, Pt, Cu, Ni, Co, Ir, etc. to obtain stable and magnetically recyclable heterogeneous catalysts. Homogeneous organocatalysts can be successfully decorated with linkers/ligands on the surface of magnetite or alternatively the organocatalysts can be directly immobilized on the surface of magnetite. The functionalized magnetically retrievable catalysts or nanocatalysts that are increasingly being used in catalysis, green chemistry and pharmaceutically significant reactions are summarized in this review.

Catalyst-free reactions developed during the last decade and the latest developments in this emerging field are summarized with a focus on catalyst-free reactions in-water and on-water. Various named reactions, multi-component reactions and the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds are discussed including the use of various energy input systems such as microwave- and ultrasound irradiation, among others. Organic chemists and the practitioners of this art both in academia and industry hopefully will continue to design benign methodologies for organic synthesis in aqueous media under catalyst-free conditions by using alternative energy inputs based on fundamental principles.

Magnetite-sulfonic acid (Nanocat-Fe-OSO₃H), prepared by the wet-impregnation method, serves as a magnetically retrievable sustainable catalyst for the Ritter and multicomponent reactions. The as synthesized catalyst can be used in several reaction cycles without any loss of activity.

A novel magnetite nanoparticle-supported ceria catalyst (Nanocat-Fe-Ce) has been successfully prepared by a simple impregnation method and was characterized by XRD, SIMS, FEG-SEM-EDS, and TEM. The exact nature of Nanocat-Fe-Ce was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and it is noted that CeO₂ nanoparticles are supported on magnetite, with evidence of secondary ion mass spectrometry. Catalytic activity of the nano-catalyst was explored for the synthesis of dihydropyridines under benign conditions; a greener protocol is described that provides a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of functionalized 1,4-dihydropyridines using a recyclable nanocatalyst. Notably, 5.22 mol% of the catalyst is sufficient to catalyze the multicomponent reaction in ethanolic medium at room temperature. Importantly, the catalyst could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by using an external magnet and recycled several times without loss of activity.