Gold nanoparticles supported on ionic‐liquid‐functionalized cellulose (Au@CIL): A heterogeneous catalyst for the selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds

In response to the increasing need for green and cost‐effective catalysts, a novel biomass‐derived heterogeneous catalyst that is effective in a number of environmentally friendly applications has been synthesized. The heterogeneous catalyst ( Au@CIL ), composed of ionic‐liquid‐functionalized cellulose embedded with Au nanoparticles (NPs), was developed for the selective reduction of the nitro group. The Au NPs are formed by the reduction of Au 3+ to Au 0 with ascorbic acid while embedded in the solid support system. The presence of embedded Au NPs was confirmed using infrared spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, zeta‐potential measurements, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, elemental dot mapping, and atomic force microscopy. In water at 30 °C, the heterogeneous catalyst Au@CIL selectively transforms aromatic nitro compounds into the corresponding amines in the presence of other functional groups, such as hydroxy, amino, aldehyde, carboxylic acid, and amide.