Nitrogen-Doped Graphene-Activated Iron-Oxide-Based Nanocatalysts for Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes

Nanoscaled iron oxides on carbon were modified with nitrogen-doped graphene (NGr) and found to be excellent catalysts for the chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of nitroarenes to anilines. Under standard reaction conditions, a variety of functionalized and structurally diverse anilines, which serve as key building blocks and central intermediates for fine and bulk chemicals, were synthesized in good to excellent yields.