Facile Synthesis of Small Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized by Carbon Nanospheres for Selective Hydrogenation of 4‐Nitrobenzaldehyde

We report the facile synthesis of small gold nanoparticles stabilized by carbon nanospheres (Au@C) for highly active and selective hydrogenation of 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde. The formation of such a Au@C unique structure can be attributed to the high distribution of Au(III) species in the melamine‐formaldehyde resin nanospheres, which were formed via the coordination of Au(III) with the abundant imino groups of melamine‐formaldehyde pre‐polymer. After the subsequent condensation and confined in situ reduction, small gold nanoparticles, and carbon nanospheres were formed simultaneously. Under the reaction conditions of 80 °C and 1.6 MPa, 99.3% conversion and >99% selectivity were achieved for the hydrogenation of 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde to 4‐aminobenzaldehyde.