Development of chemoselective photoreduction of nitro compounds under solar light and blue LED irradiation

Solar light and blue light irradiation of the commercially available heterogeneous nano photocatalyst TiO2-P25 leads to reduction of nitro compounds to give the corresponding amines. The methodology provides a green and mild approach to this useful class of organic compounds. Aromatic nitro compounds containing a wide range of functional groups tolerated the conditions to give, chemoselectively the corresponding amines in excellent yields. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.