Magnetic nano-catalysts have been prepared using simple modification of iron ferrites. The nm size range of these particles facilitates the catalysis process, as an increased surface area is available for the reaction; the easy separation of the catalysts by an external magnet and their recovery and reuse are additional beneficial attributes. Glutathione bearing nano-ferrites have been used as organocatalysts for the Paal–Knorr reaction and homocoupling of boronic acids. Nanoferrites, post-synthetically modified by ligands, were used to immobilize nanometals (Cu, Pd, Ru, etc.) which enabled the development of efficient, sustainable and green procedures for azide–alkynes-cycloaddition (AAC) reactions, C–S coupling, O-allylation of phenol, Heck-type reactions and hydration of nitriles.