Recently, we faced the challenge of reducing an aromatic nitro group to an aniline. Typically, this transformation necessitates the use of Pd/C hydrogenation conditions, which in turn require (for this case) a pressurized reactor—a requirement we were keen to circumvent.
In pursuit of optimal conditions, our search led us to an unexpectedly classical solution: the use of Fe/HCl (aqueous). The efficiency of this method came as a pleasant surprise, given how classical this reaction is.
Nevertheless, before experimenting, I conducted a (un)comprehensive literature review. The result I will post here for your and my future reference; a list of papers dealing with reduction of nitroarenes; but it does go without saying, the reduction of nitroarenes is arguably one of the most extensively investigated reactions in the field of process chemistry.
Citation
(Year Journal Page)
|
Conditions
|
Type
|
2015 RSC
Adv. 8391
|
|
Review
|
2023 J.
Chem. Edu 3171
|
|
Review
|
2018 OPRD
430
|
|
Review
|
2018 J.
Chem. Chem. Eng. 74
|
|
Review
|
1996 Chem.Rev.
2035
|
|
Review
|
1952 Ind.
Eng. Chem. 1980
|
|
Review
|
2023 ACS Cent. Sci. 836
|
Pd/C or Rh/C or Pt/C + H2
|
Metal + Hydrogenation
|
2024 OPRD
577
|
Pt3%/V2%/C, EtOH, H2, rt
|
Metal + Hydrogenation
|
2003 Synthesis
1657
|
ZnBr2,
Pd/C, H2
|
Metal + Hydrogenation
|
2018 EJOC
3416
|
CoSO4.NaBH4 reduction
|
Borohydride type
|
2023 OL
8787
|
KBH4.I2 reduction [BI3]
|
Borohydride type
|
2016 Int.J.Org.Chem.
|
NaBH4, AcOH, PdC
|
Borohydride type
|
2022 JOC
910
|
B2[OH]4. 4,4'bipyridine
|
Boron type
|
2021 Org.Chem.Front.
4554
|
KOtBu.BEt3.Hbpin
|
Boron type
|
2020 AIP.Conf.Proc.
2280
|
BF3OEt2 reduction
|
Lewis Acid type
|
2019 OL
9812
|
B2nep2
|
Boron type
|
2019 OL
2194
|
B2(OH)4 reduction
|
Boron type
|
2017 TET
3898
|
H2O,
PdC, B2[OH]4
|
Boron type
|
2017 Chem.Select
5214
|
Aminothiophenol,
MW
|
-
|
US2003/78249
|
NaBH4,
NiCl2, MeOH
|
Borohydride type
|
Citation
(Year Journal Page)
|
Conditions
|
Type
|
2020 EJOC
1853
|
Sulfur reduction
|
Sulfur type
|
2020 Can.J.Chem.444
|
Human Hair reduction
|
-
|
2006 TL
9095
|
Sulfur reduction
|
-
|
2001 TL
5601
|
Hydroiodic acid reduction
|
-
|
1982 TL
147
|
Hydrazine, Raney Nickel
|
-
|
1945
J. Chem. Soc. 202
|
Fe, Fe2SO4, H2O,
100 °C
|
ANCIENT
|
2007 Synlett
2602
|
Fe, HCl, EtOH/H2O
|
ANCIENT
|
2021 AJOC
583
|
KOH, iPrOH
|
Base
|
WO2014/161976
|
Fe, AcOH
|
ANCIENT
|
1984 TL 839
|
SnCl2,
EtOH
|
ANCIENT
|
2010 R.Commun.M.S.1105
|
Zn, AcOH
|
ANCIENT
|
JP2015/528022
|
Zn, NH4Cl,
MeOH
|
ANCIENT
|