Selective reduction of nitroarenes with molybdenum disulfide

Commercial MoS₂ was found to be a highly selective catalyst for the reduction of nitrobenzenes to the corresponding anilines with hydrazine under mild conditions. MoS₂ is not only much cheaper, but also more selective than noble metal catalysts for the reduction of functional nitrobenzenes to the corresponding anilines. Nitrobenzenes with halides (F, Cl, Br and I) were reduced selectively, and the corresponding anilines were obtained in excellent yields, and no dehalogenation was detected. Functional groups such as NH₂, OH, alkene groups were tolerated during the reduction of the nitro compounds. The reduction of p-chloronitrobenzene was studied over MoS₂ and Pd/C respectively with hydrazine. The yield of p-chloroaniline was much higher with MoS₂ than that with Pd/C at full conversion. MoS₂ was used as a catalyst for the reduction of nitrobenzene under mild conditions. Nitroarenes with halides (F, Cl, Br and I) were reduced selectively without dehaloganation, and functional groups such as NH₂, OH, alkene groups were tolerated during the reduction of the nitro compounds. The reduction of p-chloronitrobenzene was studied over MoS ₂ and Pd/C respectively with hydrazine. p-Chloroaniline was obtained quantitively with MoS₂, but some aniline formed by dehaloganation with Pd/C.