Ni-nanoparticles: an efficient green catalyst for chemoselective reduction of aldehydes

A novel method for reduction of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes with ammonium formate using Ni-nanoparticles is described. The Ni-nanoparticles act as a green catalyst for selective reduction of the aldehydic group in the presence of other functional groups, viz.: -NO2, -CN and alkenes to give the corresponding alcohols in excellent yields.