A selectivity-switchable multiple-interfacial Ni-WC hybrid catalyst for efficient nitroarenes reduction

Selective reduction of nitroarenes is extremely valuable in industrial chemical production. The main reduced products are usually aniline-derivatives by using single-component noble- or transition-metal catalysts, however, other important products such as hydrazobenzene-derivatives always involve in harsh conditions and multiple reaction steps. Herein, we realize an unexpected switchable-reduction of nitroarenes into aniline or hydrazobenzene derivatives with high yield and selectivity just by controlling the molar ratio of nitroarenes to N2H4·H2O with a nickel-tungsten carbide composite nanocatalyst loaded on carbon (Ni-WC/C). A series of control experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicate that the multiple interfaces between Ni and WC can induce a synergistic effect, significantly modulating the electronic structure of Ni-WC/C catalyst, and endowing the catalysts with switchable-selectivity and high-activity for the hydrogenation reduction of nitroarenes. This synergistic multi-interfacial catalyst may pave a new way to design and explore highly-efficient and selective catalysts for the controllable reduction of nitroarenes and similar hydrogenation reactions.