Efficient transfer hydrogenation of nitro compounds over a magnetic palladium catalyst

Magnetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) supported Pd nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@HAP-Pd) were used for the transfer hydrogenation of nitro compounds with HCOONH4 as hydrogen donors. Aniline was produced in an excellent yield (>99%) in water at 25 °C with 6 equiv. HCOONH4. This process is suitable to a wide range of nitro compounds with excellent yields for most cases. Both the HAP support and the Pd nanoparticles showed a synergistic effect on the transfer hydrogenation of nitro compounds. Furthermore, the γ-Fe2O3@HAP-Pd catalyst was stable.