Reduction of nitroaromatics with poly(vinylpyridine) complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) anchored to 2- and 4-vinylpyridine polymers of different molecular weights were used for the dihydrogen reduction of various nitroaromatics and benzaldehyde in ethanol at 50°C. Palladium(II) complexes were far more effective than their platinum(II) analogues and the activity decreased with increasing molecular weights of the polymers. The nitroaromatics were selectively and almost completely reduced to the corresponding anilines. During reduction, the orange palladium(II) complexes changed to voluminous green precipitates, which could be used repeatedly and preserved for a long time without any loss of activity. A rate equation of the type: rate = K[Cat] [H₂] has been derived and a reduction mechanism has been proposed on the basis of experimental results and kinetic data.