Selective Nitro Group Hydrogenation

Nitro groups are readily hydrogenated. However selectivity may become an issue if functional groups like double bonds, triple bonds or halogen substituents are present.
With vanadium doped precious metal powder catalysts that are in situ treated with small amounts of hypophosphoric acid (H₃PO₂), Evonik offers a unique catalyst system. Nitro groups are selectively converted into amine functions without touching any other functionality in the molecule. Nitro groups can be hydrogenated in the presence of double bonds, nitriles, triple bonds, halogen substituents, aromatic rings, carbonyls and even oximes.

Scope of the Technology  

Your benefits from the technology

• Only the nitro group gets converted, all other functionalities remain untouched, i.e. high selectivity
• No protective group strategy necessary which safes time and money
• Opens up shorter synthetic routes
• No safety problems due to avoiding the build-up of hazardous intermediates 

The Technology Package

The technology package from Evonik comprises the catalyst, advice how to use it and the licence. Evonik took a licence from Solvias AG to market the technology and to sell the catalysts.

• Vanadium promoted Precious Metal Powder Catalysts and ready to use:
  • CF 1082 BV/W 1% Pt + 2% V
  • CF 1082 RV/W 3% Pt + 0.6% V
  • CF 105 BV/W 1% Pt + 2% V
• Technical advice for applying the technology
• Licence from Solvias and the right to use the product is already included in the catalyst price; no separate licence negotiation needed.