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Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to amines using zinc and aqueous chelating ethers: Mild and efficient method for zinc activation

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Abstract

A mild, environmentally friendly method for reduction of aromatic nitro group to amine is reported, using zinc powder in aqueous solutions of chelating ethers. The donor ether acts as a ligand and also serves as a co-solvent. Water is the proton source. This procedure is also a new method for the activation of zinc for electron transfer reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. The reduction is accomplished in a neutral medium and other reducing groups remained unaffected. The ethers used are dioxolane, 1,4-dioxane, ethoxymethoxyethane, dimethoxymethane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, and diglyme.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FMC (I) R&D Centre, Society for Innovation and Development, Indian Institute of Science Campus, 560012, Bangalore, India

    Pookot Sunil Kumar

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, 570006, Mysore, India

    Kuriya M. Lokanatha Rai

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  1. Pookot Sunil Kumar
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  2. Kuriya M. Lokanatha Rai
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Correspondence to Pookot Sunil Kumar.

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Kumar, P.S., Lokanatha Rai, K.M. Reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to amines using zinc and aqueous chelating ethers: Mild and efficient method for zinc activation. Chem. Pap. 66, 772–778 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11696-012-0195-6

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