Chemoselective synthesis of imine and secondary amine from nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde by Ni3Sn2 alloy catalyst supported on TiO2

Ni3Sn2/TiO2 alloy catalyst prepared by hydrothermal method was applied for the direct one-pot reductive imination of benzaldehyde with nitrobenzene in the presence of H2 gas as a reducing agent. A desired imine, benzylideneaniline, was produced in an excellent yield of 90% without the formation of any by-products. This is due to the chemoselective molecular recognition of Ni3Sn2 alloy nanoparticles supported on TiO2 for the nitro group over the carbonyl group. By prolonging the reaction time, the desired imine was converted into the corresponding secondary amine, N-phenylbenzylamine, with a remarkably high yield of 80% through the catalytic hydrogenation of the CN bond. Finally, we demonstrated that it was easy to reuse the catalyst up to five times.