First application of core-shell Ag@Ni magnetic nanocatalyst for transfer hydrogenation reactions of aromatic nitro and carbonyl compounds

A magnetically separable core-shell Ag@Ni nanocatalyst was prepared by a simple one-pot synthetic route using oleylamine both as solvent and reducing agent and triphenylphosphine as surfactant. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by several techniques such as X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The core-shell Ag@Ni nanocatalyst was found to have very excellent activity for the transfer hydrogenation reactions of aromatic nitro and carbonyl compounds under mild conditions using isopropyl alcohol as hydrogen donor. Excellent chemoselectivity and regioselectivity for the nitro group reduction was demonstrated.