Economical and efficient aqueous reductions of high melting-point imines and nitroarenes to amines: promotion effects of granular PTFE

Abstract

The reductions of high melting-point imines and nitroarenes to amines in aqueous media using Zn powder, granular PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), catalytic Aliquat 336 and NH₄Cl or 5% NaOH at room temperature have been achieved. A major advantage of this procedure is that the cost of the catalyst is only 1/7200 of that of a previously reported nitroaromatic aqueous reduction catalyst. Altogether 13 imines and 11 nitroarenes were reduced to the corresponding amines with excellent yields. The effects of the amount of granular PTFE, and solubilities and melting points of the substrates, and melting points of the products on the reaction rates are discussed. For the first time, the relationship between the aqueous reaction rates and melting points of the products was investigated, which leads to a conclusion that lower melting-point products form faster than higher melting-point ones in the aqueous reductions. The Aliquat 336, granular PTFE and water are all recyclable.