Selective hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes under mild conditions

Functionalized anilines are selectively synthesized from the corresponding nitroarenes by simple heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation carried out under mild conditions over a very low amount (0.5 mol%) of a new sol-gel entrapped Pd(0) catalyst. Only halo-nitroarenes could not be selectively converted. The catalyst is leach-proof and can be reused in many consecutive reaction cycles.