Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes Using an Air-Stable Base-Metal Catalyst

The reduction of nitroarenes to anilines as well as azobenzenes to hydrazobenzenes using a single base-metal catalyst is reported. The hydrogenation reactions are performed with an air-and moisture-stable manganese catalyst and proceed under relatively mild reaction conditions. The transformation tolerates a broad range of functional groups, affording aniline derivatives and hydrazobenzenes in high yields. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds via a bifunctional activation involving metal-ligand cooperative catalysis.

Automated summary

A method using a single base-metal catalyst to reduce nitroarenes and azobenzenes under relatively mild conditions has been successfully achieved. This method tolerates a wide range of functional groups and provides high yields of the desired products. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through bifunctional activation involving metal-ligand cooperative catalysis.