Safe and Selective Nitro Group Reductions Catalyzed by Sustainable and Recyclable Fe/ppm Pd Nanoparticles in Water at Room Temperature

As a result of a unique synergy between ligand-free Fe/ppm Pd nanoparticles and PEG-containing designer surfactants, a facile and selective reduction of nitro-containing aromatics and heteroaromatics can be effected in water at room temperature in the presence of NaBH4. This new nanotechnology involves low catalyst loadings, is highly chemoselective, and tolerates a wide variety of functional groups. The process, which includes recycling of the entire aqueous medium, offers a general, environmentally responsible, and notably safe approach to highly valued reductions of nitro-containing compounds.