Supported Bimetallic AuPd Nanoparticles as a Catalyst for the Selective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes

The solvent-free selective hydrogenation of nitrobenzene was carried out using a supported AuPd nanoparticles catalyst, prepared by the modified impregnation method (M(Im)), as efficient catalyst >99% yield of aniline (AN) was obtained after 15 h at 90 °C, 3 bar H(2) that can be used without any further purification or separation, therefore reducing cost and energy input. Supported AuPd nanoparticles catalyst, prepared by M(Im), was found to be active and stable even after four recycle experiments, whereas the same catalyst prepared by S(Im) was deactivated during the recycle experiments. The most effective catalyst was tested for the chemoselective hydrogenation of 4-chloronitrobenzene (CNB) to 4-chloroaniline (CAN). The activation energy of CNB to CAN was found to be 25 kJ mol(−1), while that of CNB to AN was found to be 31 kJ mol(−1). Based on this, the yield of CAN was maximized (92%) by the lowering the reaction temperature to 25 °C.