Cobalt Complexes Catalyze Reduction of Nitro Compounds: Mechanistic Studies

Mononuclear Co2+/3+ complexes of 13-membered amide-based macrocycles have been synthesized, characterized and utilized in the chemo-selective reduction of assorted nitro compounds including aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic ones. Catalytic results illustrate that Co3+ complexes are better catalysts than the analogous Co2+ complexes while mechanistic investigations display the generation of an [(L)Co2+(mu-NH2NH2)Co2+(L)] intermediate during the catalysis.