Béchamp Reduction

Abstract Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to the corresponding aromatic amines by iron, ferrous salts, or iron catalyst in aqueous acid is generally referred to as Béchamp reduction. Iron, zinc and tin also have been used to reduce the aromatic nitro compounds in the presence of an acid yielding hydroxylamines, hydrazines, azoarenes, or azoxyarenes at an intermediate stage. The main shortcomings of this reaction include the slow reaction rate and costly steam distillation. Some neutral organic solvents, such as acetonitrile and propylene carbonate have been added and found to give better results. This reaction is generally used to reduce aromatic nitro compounds into aromatic amines.