Polymerization Assisted Reduction Reaction: A Sequential Electron-Proton Transfer Reaction Catalyzed by Gold Nanoparticle

During the polymerization process of aniline (and the derivatives of aniline), the released proton and electron initiate the reduction of 4-nitrophenolate through a proton coupled electron transfer (PCET) mechanism. In situ formation of gold nanoparticles during a similar polymerization process catalyze the reduction reaction.