Perovskite-type LaFeO3 nanoparticles prepared by thermal decomposition of the La[Fe(CN)6]·5H2O complex: A new reusable catalyst for rapid and efficient reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to arylamines with propan-2-ol under microwave irradiation

Perovskite-type LaFeO3 nanoparticles were readily synthesized via thermal decomposition of the La[Fe(CN)6]·5H2O complex and characterized by using thermal analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and BET specific surface area measurement. This nanosized perovskite-type oxide with an average particle size of 35 nm and a specific surface area 38.5 m2/g was used as a new reusable heterogeneous catalyst for highly efficient and selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds into their corresponding amines by using propan-2-ol as the hydrogen donor under microwave irradiation. This method is regio- and chemoselective, clean, inexpensive and compatible with the substrates having hydrogenlysable or reducible functional groups. As compared with conventional heating, this method is very fast and suitable for large scale preparation of different substituted anilines as well as other arylamines. The catalyst can also be reused without observable loss of its activity.

Graphical abstractPerovskite-type LaFeO3 nanoparticles were readily synthesized via thermal decomposition of the La[Fe(CN)6]·5H2O complex and used as a reusable heterogeneous catalyst for highly efficient and selective reduction of various aromatic nitro compounds into their corresponding amines b using propan-2-ol as the hydrogen donor under microwave irradiation.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (153 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► LaFeO3 nanoparticles were prepared via decomposition of the La[Fe(CN)6]·5H2O. ► Nitroarenes were reduced to arylamines by propan-2-ol over nano-LaFeO3 under MWI. ► This method is compatible with other reducible sensitive functionalities. ► The activity of LaFeO3 nanoparticles is higher than bulk LaFeO3 sample.