Perovskite-type ferromagnetic BiFeO3 nanopowder was readily synthesized via thermal decomposition of Bi[Fe(CN)6]·5H2O complex and characterized using thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), magnetic measurement and Brunauer-Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area measurements. The magnetic measurements show a ferromagnetic behavior for the BiFeO3 nanoparticles at room temperature. This nanosized ferromagnetic oxide with an average particle size of approximately 20 nm and a specific surface area of 48.5 m2/g was used as a new magnetically recoverable heterogeneous nanocatalyst for the highly efficient and selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds into their corresponding amines by using propan-2-ol as the hydrogen donor under microwave irradiation. This method is regio- and chemoselective, clean, inexpensive and compatible with the substrates having hydrogenlyzable or reducible functional groups. As compared with conventional heating, this method is very fast and suitable for the large-scale preparation of different substituted anilines as well as other arylamines. The catalyst can also be reused without loss of activity.

Nd2Sn2O7 nanoceramic was synthesized using an eco-friendly method with SnCl4•5H2O and Nd(NO3)3•6H2O. Structural analysis confirmed the formation of Nd2Sn2O7 nanoceramic with a size of 20±8 nm. Nd2Sn2O7 was thoroughly characterized using SEM, XRD, TGA, EDX, and TEM techniques. Due to its high mechanical and long-term colloidal stability, large ionic character, and thermal stability, this system is considered an ideal nanocatalyst employing the host-guest approach. This green and environmentally friendly method was tested for the reduction of nitro-aromatic compounds using the synthesized Nd2Sn2O7 nanoceramic. The catalyst demonstrated easy and effective reusability after the reaction was completed under visible light irradiation.

The chemistry of nitration reactions is a very powerful tool for the synthesis of pharmaceutical molecules and biological compounds. Carbon-nitrogen (C-N) bond formation is one of the most important reactions in organic synthesis, which plays a key role in the synthesis of biologically active and targeted molecules. Nitro compounds are very useful and have shown their importance in various medical, environmental and military fields for the synthesis of energetic and explosive compounds. Nitration reactions are conducted through various methods and employing diverse reagents, illustrating the multiplicity of their synthesis pathways. Diversifying the chemistry of nitro compounds offers a promising avenue for generating novel targeted molecules, showcasing the potential of these substances and the method itself. The objective herein is to highlight a selection of reagents and pathways for synthesizing nitro compounds that have garnered significant interest from research groups in recent years.

Polyethylene glycol was easily grafted to silica gel and used as a solid-liquid phase transfer catalyst in the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. This silica-grafted polyethylene glycol is proved to be an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the reduction of nitroarenes to the corresponding aromatic amines with zinc powder in water. The reduction reactions proceeded efficiently with excellent chemo selectivity without affecting other sensitive functional groups.

The current study aimed at application of the plain and supported platinum nanoparticles as a heterogenous catalyst for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. Monodispersed platinum nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction of H2PtCl6 by ethanol in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a stabilizer, and then were immobilized on four types of zeolites. The obtained catalyst granules were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The study then focused on elaboration of the catalytic activity of the nano catalysts under different operational conditions. It was found that reaction is adequately rapid at ambient temperature, and by utilizing a sufficient amount of catalyst, can be completed in nearly 30 min. Among the utilized zeolitic supports, zeolite 4A had the highest performance, but the mechanism of its synergetic effect on the activity of platinum nano catalyst was not found and requires more investigation.