Selective hydrogenation of chloronitrobenzenes catalyzed by palladium complex of silica‐supported chitosan

Abstract

Abstract A palladium complex of silica‐supported chitosan has been found to catalyze the hydrogenation of p‐, m‐ and o‐chloronitrobenzene, and of 4‐chloro‐1,3‐dinitrobenzene to p‐, m‐ and o‐chloroaniline, and 4‐chloro‐3‐aminoaniline in 100% yield, respectively, at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure, and the side reaction, dechlorination, has not been observed. This catalyst was very stable, the turnover numbers (p‐chloronitrobenzene to p‐chloroaniline cycles / palladium atom) reached 9000 in 17 hours.