Graphene from Alginate Pyrolysis as a Metal-Free Catalyst for Hydrogenation of Nitro Compounds

Graphene obtained by pyrolysis of alginate at 900 degrees C under inert atmosphere and exfoliation is used as a metal-free catalyst for reduction of nitro to amino groups with hydrogen as a reagent. The process is general for aromatic and aliphatic, conjugated and isolated nitro groups, and occurs with low selectivity over hydrogenation of carbon-carbon double bonds.