Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene‐Supported Iron Catalyst for Highly Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes

Abstract

Abstract A nitrogen‐doped graphene‐supported iron catalyst was used for the first time in the hydrogenation of a series of nitroarenes to give the corresponding amines with excellent activity and chemoselectivity under mild reaction conditions. Physicochemical characterization of the catalyst by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed the formation of iron particles with an iron oxide core and a metallic iron shell that were coated by a few layers of nitrogen‐doped graphene. The unique structure of FeN x /C in the catalyst was proven to contribute to the hydrogenation activity.