Enzymatic catalysis is a sustainable alternative for cost-prohibitive catalysts based on noble metals and rare earths. Enzymes can catalyze selective reactions under mild conditions. Enzyme recovery after a reaction for its reuse is still a challenge for industrial application. Herein, a biocompatible magnetic nanocomposite is presented as alternative for enzyme stabilization and easy recovery. The magnetic core of CoFe2O4 provides capabilities for magnetic recovery. Two different functionalization methods based on adsorption of enzyme onto biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAP) and through covalent bonding using a molecular spacer based on 3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) have been evaluated. Both enzymatic bio-nanocomposites presented high selectivity for the transesterification reaction of racemic mixtures of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol, with complete conversion of (R)-1-phenylethanol enan...

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have been widely employed in catalysis. Here, we report on the synthesis and catalytic evaluation of a hybrid material composed of Au NPs deposited at the surface of magnetic cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4). Our reported approach enabled the synthesis of well-defined Au/CoFe2O4 NPs. The Au NPs were uniformly deposited at the surface of the support, displayed spherical shape, and were monodisperse in size. Their catalytic performance was investigated towards the reduction of 4-nitrophenol and the selective oxidation of dimethylphenylsilane to dimethylphenylsilanol. The material was active towards both transformations. In addition, the LSPR excitation in Au NPs could be employed to enhance the catalytic performance, which was demonstrated in the 4-nitrophenol reduction. Finally, the magnetic support allowed for the easy recovery and reuse of the Au/CoFe2O4 NPs. In this...