Synthesis, characterization, and application of easily accessible resin-encapsulated nickel nanocatalyst for efficient reduction of functionalized nitroarenes under mild conditions

A novel resin-encapsulated nickel nanocatalyst has been synthesized by a modified impregnation method using nickel acetate tetrahydrate in presence of sodium borohydride as a mild reducing agent. The synthesized nanocatalyst was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The concentration of nickel nanoparticles encapsulated on resin was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Further, synthesized resin-encapsulated nickel nanocatalyst was found to be stable and efficient in micromolar concentrations, for the selective reduction of functionalized nitroarenes to corresponding amines in good to high yield, under mild reaction conditions. The nanocatalyst shows excellent reusability.

Graphical Abstract

SYNOPSIS A novel resin-encapsulated nickel nanocatalyst (Ni@XAD-4) was synthesized using a modified impregnation method. The nanocatalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards the selective reduction of functionalized nitroarenes in the presence of ${\text{NaBH}}_4$ with reusability up to five cycles. .