A novel nanomagnetic catalyst has been synthesized by immobilization of triethanolamine lactate cellulose with Fe
3O4 NPs. The prepared catalyst has been used
as an efficient and recoverable catalyst for the regioselective synthesis of pyrazolo
quinolones by the three-component reaction of dimedone, 5-amino pyrazolone and
aromatic aldehydes in ultrasound condition. This economical catalyst provides high
yields of products, short experimental time and easy workup for green synthesis of
pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolone compounds. Theoretical studies have been employed to
investigate the reaction mechanism by using the B3LYP/6-311G method. Electronic
parameters of all components have been determined in order to reorganize the role
of components in the reaction mechanism.