Selective reduction of 4,4′-dinitrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid catalyzed by supported nano-sized gold with sodium formate as hydrogen source

►Four supported gold catalysts were prepared with similar average gold particles. ►HCOONa was used as a clean reductant. ►Perfect selectivity (> 99%) between nitro and olefinic group was obtained. ►The catalytic activity can be restored by calcination at 400 °C.