Chapter 22: Amines

Reduction of Nitro Compounds

Summary

• Nitroarenes can be reduced to primary aryl amines (see scheme).
• Typical reducing agents include, Fe / H⁺, Sn / H⁺ or catalytic hydrogenation (e.g. H₂ / Pd)
• Nitroarenes are prepared by the nitration of aromatics.
• This is probably the most important method for the synthesis of anilines (Ar-NH₂)  and, therefore, accessing the chemistry of diazonium compounds (see later)

• Reduction of Azides
• Reduction of Nitriles
• Reduction of Amides

© Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry