Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
As a result of a unique synergy between ligand-free Fe/ppm Pd nanoparticles and PEG-containing designer surfactants, a facile and selective reduction of nitro-containing aromatics and heteroaromatics can be effected in water at room temperature in the presence of NaBH4 . This new nanotechnology involves low catalyst loadings, is highly chemoselective, and tolerates a wide variety of functional groups. The process, which includes recycling of the entire aqueous medium, offers a general, environmentally responsible, and notably safe approach to highly valued reductions of nitro-containing compounds.
Feng et al. (Wed,) studied this question.