Yeast supported gold nanoparticles: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of commercially important aryl amines

Candida parapsilosis ATCC 7330 supported gold nanoparticles (CpGNP), prepared by a simple and green method can selectively reduce nitroarenes and substituted nitroarenes with different functional groups like halides (–F, –Cl, –Br), olefins, esters and nitriles using sodium borohydride. The product aryl amines which are useful for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, polymers and agrochemicals were obtained in good yields (up to >95%) using CpGNP catalyst under mild conditions. The catalyst showed high recyclability (≥10 cycles) and is a robust free flowing powder, stored and used after eight months without any loss in catalytic activity.