Nitro to amine reductions using aqueous flow catalysis under ambient conditions
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Updated: Oct 8, 2025

Continuous Flow Chemistry: Reaction of Diphenyldiazomethane with p-Nitrobenzoic Acid
Published on: November 15, 2017
Mahzad Yaghmaei1, Anabel E Lanterna1, Juan C Scaiano1
1Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences and Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada.
Abstract:
A catalyst based on Pd on glass wool (Pd@GW) shows exceptional performance and durability for the reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline at room temperature and ambient pressure in aqueous solutions. The reaction is performed in a flow system and completed with 100% conversion under a variety of flow rates, 2 to 100 mLmin-1 (normal laboratory fast flow conditions). Sodium borohydride or dihydrogen perform well as reducing agents. Scale-up of the reaction to flows of 100 mLmin-1 also shows high conversions and robust catalytic performance. Catalyst deactivation can be readily corrected by flowing a NaBH4 solution. The catalytic system proves to be generally efficient, performing well with a range of nitroaromatic compounds. The shelf life of the catalyst is excellent and its reusability after 6-8 months of storage showed the same performance as for the fresh catalyst.
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