One-pot synthesis of Fe_(x)O_(y)nanoparticles embedded within N-doped carbon layers as highly efficient and selective catalysts for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Inhibiting the side reactions while promoting hydrogenation are the main target for the production of functional anilines from nitroarenes;consequently,the preparation of an ideal catalyst to improve chemical selectivity is one of the hot issues.In this work,we provided an easy-to-prepare catalyst with Ndoped carbon layers,where the Fe_(x)O_(y)nanoparticles were encapsulated and distributed uniformly.The structural features of catalyst were characterized by several techniques,and the selected catalyst was next applied to the hydrogenation of nitrobenzene under varied conditions,involving temperature,holding period and H2 pressure.Subsequently,we conducted the synthesis of more than 16 substrates for the corresponding anilines with varied functional groups.The hydrogenation protocol to gram-scale synthesis as well as lifecycle performance were also demonstrated in the batch reactor,together with the explanation of its catalytic mechanisms.Overall,the present work provides an available preparation of simple but highly efficient catalysts for the production or aromatic amines,which will be benefit for the sustainable development of this field in near future.

Magnetic graphene nanocomposite as an efficient catalyst for hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Graphene-Fe3O4 nanocomposite（G-Fe3O4） was synthesized by a chemical co-precipitation method which was used as an efficient catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes with hydrazine hydrate.The method has been applied to a broad range of compounds with different properties and the yields were in the range of 75%-92%.The G-Fe3O4 catalyst can be readily recovered and reused 5 times without significant loss of the catalytic activity.