Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds by employing ammonium formate and 5% platinum on carbon

Aromatic nitro compounds were reduced to respective amines in high yields by using 5% platinum on carbon with ammonium formate or formic acid as hydrogen donor. It was observed that the former was more efficient donor than the later. Further we have found that reduction of nitro groups occur's without hydrogenolysis of halogens and the reducible substituents which remains unchanged under the reaction conditions.