Efficient reductions of various nitroarenes with scrap automobile catalyst and NaBH4

•Scrap automobile catalytic converter was recycled as a catalyst for nitro-reduction.•The catalyst has high catalytic activity and chemical stability.•Reductions of nitroarenes were achieved efficiently.•The catalyst can be reused 5 times without any loss of activity.

The effect of scrap automobile catalyst (SAC), a waste material, was investigated as a catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes to the corresponding amines with sodium borohydride in aqueous ethanol at 5–25 °C. Along with the observed high conversions, the SAC and NaBH4 combination also exhibits a selectively catalyzed reduction in compounds containing other reducible functionalities, such as CN, Br, Cl and I. Recycling automobile wastes into a catalyst for organic reactions will offer both environmental protection and economic advantages. As a result, an effective, easy to use, low-priced and reliable method has been developed.