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  • Nanoscale Fe2O3-based catalysts for selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines.

Nanoscale Fe2O3-based catalysts for selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines.

Science (New York, N.Y.) (2013-11-30)
Rajenahally V Jagadeesh, Annette-Enrica Surkus, Henrik Junge, Marga-Martina Pohl, Jörg Radnik, Jabor Rabeah, Heming Huan, Volker Schünemann, Angelika Brückner, Matthias Beller
ABSTRACT

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 hydrogenation of numerous structurally diverse nitroarenes (more than 80 examples) proceeded in good to excellent yield under industrially viable conditions.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Iron(III) oxide, powder, <5 μm, ≥96%
Sigma-Aldrich
Iron(III) oxide, nanopowder, <50 nm particle size (BET)
Sigma-Aldrich
Iron(III) oxide, ≥99.995% trace metals basis