Enhancing Catalyst Stability for Magnetically Induced Aqueous Catalysis: Functionalization with a Hydrosoluble Zwitterionic Amidinate Ligand

The efficient conversion of biomass‐derived compounds into chemicals through aqueous reduction processes is essential for optimal biomass transformation. Herein, we report an efficient strategy to generate stable and water‐compatible magnetic catalysts for the hydrogenation of biomass‐derived compounds in water using magnetically induced catalysis. Core‐shell FeCo@Ni nanoparticles (NPs) have been functionalized with different equivalents of a new hydrosoluble zwitterionic amidinate ligand (IMesPrSO 3 · (p‐tol) NCN) through a ligand exchange process in a biphasic system (FeCo@Ni WS ( n ); n = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 equivalents). Their enhanced stability in water, compared to nonfunctionalized FeCo@Ni NPs, was confirmed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and recycling studies during the hydrogenation of vanillin using magnetic induction heating. FeCo@Ni WS (0.3) was identified as the most promising catalyst since it presents the optimal balance between activity and stability. Furthermore, localized heating at the nanoparticle surface and fast warming times enable efficient transformations under relatively mild bulk conditions and make this process highly suitable for operation under intermittent energy supply.