Reduction of nitro compounds

The chemical reactions described as reduction of nitro compounds can be affected by many reagents and reaction conditions. Historically, the nitro group was one of the first functional groups to be reduced. The chemical reactions described as reduction of nitro compounds can be affected by many reagents and reaction conditions. Historically, the nitro group was one of the first functional groups to be reduced. Alkyl and aryl nitro compounds behave differently. Thus, reduction conditions can be broadly classified by starting materials: aliphatic nitro compounds or aromatic nitro compounds. Secondary classifications are based upon reaction products. Hydrodenitration (replacement of a nitro group with hydrogen) is difficult to achieve but can be effected by catalytic hydrogenation over platinum on silica gel at high temperatures.The reaction can also be done through radical reaction with tributyltin hydride and a radical initiator, AIBN as an example. Aliphatic nitro compounds can be reduced to aliphatic amines by several reagents: