Magnetic chitosan nanocomposite: As a novel catalyst for the synthesis of new derivatives of N-sulfonylamidine and N-sulfonylimidate.

•A novel CuI/Fe3O4@chitosan-salicylaldehyde nanocatalyst was prepared.•The catalyst was used in the synthesis of new N-sulfonyl-amidines/imidates.•The nanomagnetic catalyst was separated by an external magnetic field.•The catalyst showed excellent recycling efficiency.