Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026

Resin-Assisted Capture Coupled with Isobaric Tandem Mass Tag Labeling for Multiplexed Quantification of Protein Thiol Oxidation
Published on: June 21, 2021
Black carbon-mediated reduction of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by dithiothreitol
Abstract:
By using various types of black carbon (BC), including chemically converted graphene (CCG), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and granular activated carbon (GAC), BC-mediated reduction was investigated with 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT), a model nitroaromatic compound. We hypothesized that by providing sorption and electron transfer sites, BC can be used as a catalyst to accelerate DNT reduction by dithiothreitol (DTL), a thiol reductant. Results from batch experiments showed that CCG, MWCNT, and GAC could promote reduction of DNT by DTL. The yield ratio of the two aminonitro intermediates was approximately 1:1, which was consistent with that in a graphite system. However, fullerene did not significantly enhance the reduction of DNT, likely due to being a π acceptor. Kinetic data analysis showed that removal of DNT in the presence of BC and DTL was linearly proportional to the electrical conductivity of BC, suggesting that the graphitic structure of BC may be responsible for DNT removal. Our results indicate that the presence of BC materials may affect the fate of nitroaromatic compounds under electron-rich conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Alcohols from Carbonyl Compounds: Reduction
Catalytic hydrogenation is similar to the reduction of an alkene or alkyne by adding H2 across the pi bond in the presence of transition metal catalysts like Raney Ni, Pd–C, Pt, or Ru. Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by this method, often under mild to moderate heat (25–100°C) and...
Benzene to 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: Birch Reduction Mechanism
Acetals and Thioacetals as Protecting Groups for Aldehydes and Ketones
In the presence of multiple functional groups, when selective reduction of one group over the other is desired, groups like aldehydes and ketones that form acetals...
Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones from Nitriles and Carboxylic Acids
Reducing carboxylic acid derivatives like acyl chlorides (RCOCl), esters (RCO2R′), and nitriles (RCN) using milder aluminum hydride agents like lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride [LiAlH(O-t-Bu)3] and diisobutylaluminum hydride [DIBAL-H] allows...
Radical Substitution: Hydrogenolysis of Alkyl Halides with Tributyltin Hydride
The bonds formed in this reaction are stronger than the bonds broken, making it energetically favorable. The reaction follows a radical chain mechanism similar to radical halogenation reactions,...

