Highly efficient reduction of nitro compounds: Recyclable Pd/C-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation with ammonium formate or hydrazine hydrate as hydrogen source

Herein, we described a highly efficient heterogeneous Pd/C-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of nitro compounds for the synthesis of primary amines, using ammonium formate and hydrazine hydrate as hydrogen source independently. The products were obtained with up to >99% yield. Furthermore, gram scale and recycling of catalyst had been tested with well results.