Nitrogen-Doped Graphene-Supported Iron Catalyst for Highly Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/cctc.201701949

A nitrogen-doped graphene-supported iron catalyst was used for the first time in the hydrogenation of a series of nitroarenes to give the corresponding amines with excellent activity and chemoselectivity under mild reaction conditions. Physicochemical characterization of the catalyst by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and M?ssbauer spectroscopy revealed the formation of iron particles with an iron oxide core and a metallic iron shell that were coated by a few layers of nitrogen-doped graphene. The unique structure of FeN_x/C in the catalyst was proven to contribute to the hydrogenation activity.