Selective reductive coupling of nitro aliphatic compounds with aldehydes in hydrogen using gold catalyst

Nitrones were synthesized in good yields directly from nitro aliphatic compounds, aldehydes, and H2 using highly dispersed gold nanoparticles on titania. The high selectivity for nitrone synthesis contrasts with the platinum supported on carbon and corresponds to an increase from roughly 50% to 90%. The catalytic performance is tuned by precise control of the structure of the active sites, the characteristics of the support and reaction conditions.