Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol using 2D-molybdenum ditelluride

Abstract

The catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol is a crucial reaction in the synthesis of aromatic amines, which serve as key intermediates in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. This study explores the phase engineering and catalytic performance of molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe₂) synthesized via a solid-state reaction. By optimizing annealing conditions, a mixed 1T′/2H-MoTe₂ phase structure was successfully achieved, exhibiting significantly enhanced catalytic efficiency compared to the individual 1T′-monoclinic and 2H-hexagonal phases. The mixed-phase MoTe₂ catalyst facilitated over 80% reduction of 4-nitrophenol within 15 minutes, as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Further validation through ¹H-NMR and LC-MS provided comprehensive insights into product identification, yield quantification, and potential by-product formation. Experimental results, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, demonstrated that the mixed 1T′/2H phase of MoTe₂ possesses favorable thermodynamic properties, particularly in hydrogen adsorption. These findings highlight the potential of phase-engineered MoTe₂ as an efficient catalyst for amine synthesis application.