Chemoselective transfer hydrogenation reactions over nanosized γ-Fe2O3 catalyst prepared by novel combustion route

gamma-Fe203 catalyst was prepared by the novel combustion route. The as synthesized catalyst was characterized by several analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM, TG-DTA, etc. Chemoselective reduction of nitro compounds was studied over gamma-Fe2O3 using propan-2-ol as a hydrogen donor and KOH promotor in liquid phase reaction. The catalyst used for this synthetically useful transformation showed good activity. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.