Palladium supported on magnetic nanoparticles as recoverable catalyst for one-pot reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroarenes under ambient conditions

A high-performance palladium-based catalyst has been prepared by the co-precipitation method. The catalyst was characterized by TEM, XRD, VSM and ICP. It was found that the catalyst showed a high activity for the one-pot direct reductive amination of aldehydes with nitroarenes in the presence of molecular hydrogen in ethanol, even at room temperature. Furthermore, the catalyst was easily recovered by applying an external magnet and reused for eight cycles without significant loss of activity.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A palladium-based catalyst was prepared facilely by the co-precipitation method. ► The nanoparticles are nearly spherical in shape with a size of ca. 20 nm. ► The catalyst showed high activity for the one-pot reductive amination of aldehydes. ► The catalyst was easily recovered by applying an external magnet. ► The catalyst was reused for eight cycles without evident loss in activity.