Direct Hydrogenation of Nitroaromatics and One-Pot Amidation with Carboxylic Acids over Platinum Nanowires

A novel ultrathin platinum nanowire with uniform length and a diameter of 1.5 nm was synthesized by acidic etching of FePt nanowire in methanol. This nanowire was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicated that the main plane is (111). The ability of this nanowire to catalyze the heterogeneous hydrogenation of nitroaromatics to give the corresponding amines has been investigated. The catalyst showed satisfactory activity in various solvents under mild conditions and showed excellent stability. The catalytic performance was also evaluated in the one-pot reduction of nitroaromatics and amidation with carboxylic acids under a hydrogen atmosphere at 100 degrees C. These methods for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics and the direct amidation of nitroaromatics with carboxylic acids are simple, economical, and environmentally benign, and have practical advantages for the synthesis of amines and amides without the production of toxic byproducts.