Stable Zr-based polyoxometalate as a green catalyst for selective oxidation of aniline

Selective oxidation of aniline offers an efficient and sustainable route for value-added transformation. Here, we report a stable Zr-based polyoxometalate. This non-noble metal catalyst exhibits excellent activity and selectivity (100% conversion and 96.3% selectivity) without any additive. Gram-scale transformation shows a 66% isolated yield. Mechanistic studies identify a nitrosobenzene intermediate.