One-step catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol through the direct injection of metal salts into oxygen-depleted reactants

The injection of aqueous metal salts into a solution containing 4-nitrophenol and borohydride results in the formation of catalytic metal nanoparticles capable of reducing 4-nitrophenol. This single-step procedure when carried out in the absence of dissolved oxygen leads to extraordinary catalytic activity with turnover frequencies as high as 65000 h−1.