Palladium-catalyzed silane/siloxane reductions in the one-pot conversion of nitro compounds into their amines, hydroxylamines, amides, sulfonamides, and carbamates

A combination of palladium(II) acetate, aqueous potassium fluoride, and polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) facilitates the room-temperature reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to anilines. These reactions tend to be quick (30 min), high-yielding, and tolerate a range of other functional groups. Replacement of PMHS/KF with triethylsilane allows for the reduction of aliphatic nitro compounds to their corresponding hydroxylamines. Depending on the substrate, both conditions can allow for the in situ conversion of the product amines into amides, sulfonamides, and carbamates.