Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes Catalyzed by Highly Dispersed, Supported Nickel Nanoparticles

A recyclable highly dispersed Ni/SiO2 catalyst was prepared by atomic layer deposition. Chemoselective reduction of nitroarenes was studied using the prepared Ni/SiO2 as the catalyst and hydrazine hydrate as a hydrogen donor. Different kinds of nitroarenes were converted to the corresponding anilines with high yields. The high activity of the catalysts could be a result of the highly dispersed Ni nanoparticles.