Heterogeneous Iron-Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes under Water-Gas Shift Reaction Conditions

Reduction of various nitroarenes in the presence of heterogeneous iron oxide-based catalyst Fe 2 O 3 /NGr@C under water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) conditions has been demonstrated. The catalytic material is prepared in a straightforward manner via deposition/pyrolysis of iron-phenanthroline complex on carbon support. It shows high chemoselectivity towards the reduction of nitroarenes in the presence of other reducible and/or poisoning-capable functional groups. Hydrogenation is achieved using CO/H 2 O as a hydrogen source. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the presence of triethylamine additive has a significant positive effect on the rate of reduction.