Synthesis and characterization of hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolite containing Ni nanoparticles for one-pot reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroarenes

•Hierarchical H-mZSM-5 zeolite containing Ni nanoparticles was synthesized.•Ni/H-mZSM-5 was prepared as novel acid-metal bi-functional heterogeneous catalyst.•Ni/H-mZSM-5 was used for one-pot reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroarenes.•Excellent yields at room temperature in water were obtained.•The stability of the catalyst was excellent and could be reused 6 times.

In this paper, we wish to report the synthesis and characterization of nickel nanoparticles supported on acidic form of ZSM-5 zeolite (Ni/H-mZSM-5) with microporous/mesoporous hierarchical structure. This catalyst was effectively employed as novel acid-metal bi-functional heterogeneous catalyst for direct one-pot reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroarenes in the presence of NaBH4 as a mild reducing agent. Excellent yields at room temperature and short reaction time in aqueous media conditions were obtained.

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