Zero valent iron nanoparticles as sustainable nanocatalysts for reduction reactions

The usage of zero valent iron (Fe) nanoparticles for various organic transformations has been extensively reported in the last decade because of high natural abundance, low toxicity and low cost of Fe metal. The development of synthetic strategies used for fabrication of iron nanoparticles and their stabilization using various supporting materials has made a significant contribution to their use in catalysis. This critical review gives research progress of synthesis, stabilization and characterization of zero valent Fe nanoparticles. It specially emphasizes on their use as reducing agent and as catalyst in various reduction reactions in the last ten years. Catalytic reductions of different organic substrates in the presence of Fe nanoparticles using different hydrogen sources have been mainly described critically in this review. Challenges and future perspectives for further development in the field of Iron nanoparticles catalyzed reduction reactions have been described.