Gold complexes as catalysts: Chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Nitro groups on different compounds – containing double bonds, carbonyl, nitrile or halide groups – have been successfully hydrogenated with well-defined homogeneous gold and palladium complexes as catalysts using a batch reactor under low H2 pressure. Gold complexes show high chemoselectivity towards reduction of the nitro group at near-complete conversion of the substrate. The corresponding amino derivatives are isolated in high yields.