Nanoscale Fe₂O₃-Based Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes to Anilines

Production of anilines—key intermediates for the fine chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries—relies on precious metal catalysts that selectively hydrogenate aryl nitro groups in the presence of other easily reducible functionalities. Herein, we report convenient and stable iron oxide...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2013-11, Vol.342 (6162), p.1073-1076
Main Authors: Jagadeesh, Rajenahally V., Surkus, Annette-Enrica, Junge, Henrik, Pohl, Marga-Martina, Radnik, Jörg, Rabean, Jabor, Huan, Heming, Schünemann, Volker, Brückner, Angelika, Beller, Matthias
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural chemistry
Aniline
Aniline Compounds - chemical synthesis
Asymmetry
Catalysis
Catalysts
Chemicals
Chemistry
Cobalt
Exact sciences and technology
Ferric Compounds - chemistry
General and physical chemistry
Hydrogenation
Iron
Iron oxides
Ligands
Nanoscience
Nitrogen
Noble metals
Pyrolysis
Studies
Theory of reactions, general kinetics. Catalysis. Nomenclature, chemical documentation, computer chemistry
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Summary:Production of anilines—key intermediates for the fine chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries—relies on precious metal catalysts that selectively hydrogenate aryl nitro groups in the presence of other easily reducible functionalities. Herein, we report convenient and stable iron oxide (Fe₂O₃)-based catalysts as a more earth-abundant alternative for this transformation. Pyrolysis of iron-phenanthroline complexes on carbon furnishes a unique structure in which the active Fe₂O₃ particles are surrounded by a nitrogen-doped carbon layer. Highly selective hydrogénation of numerous structurally diverse nitroarenes (more than 80 examples) proceeded in good to excellent yield under industrially viable conditions.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1242005