This paper reports the synthesis and use of Pd/Fe3O4 nanowires, as magnetically separable catalysts for ligand-free amidation coupling reactions of aryl halides with benzylurea under microwave irradiation. Then, the in situ hydrogenolysis of the products was performed to afford the N-monosubstituted ureas from good to excellent yields. This method has the advantages of high yields, simple methodology and easy work up. The catalyst can be recovered by using a magnet and reused several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. The catalyst was characterized using the powder XRD, SEM, EDS and UV-vis spectroscopy. Experimental absorbance spectra was compared with results from the Gans theory. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.