First and efficient method for reduction of aliphatic and aromatic nitro compounds with zinc borohydride as pyridine zinc tetrahydroborato complex: A new stable ligand-metal borohydride

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/jccs.200300040

Pyridine zinc tetrahydroborate, [(Py)Zn(BH₄)₂], as a new stable ligand-metal borohydride, is prepared quantitatively by complexation of 1:1 zinc borohydride and pyridine at room temperature. This reagent efficiently reduces different aromatic and aliphatic nitro compounds to their primary amines in refluxing THF. In addition, the reduction shows chemoselectivity for aliphatic nitro compounds over the aromatic nitro compounds.