Chitosan supported bimetallic Pd/Co nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of nitroaromatics to amines

A new bimetallic nanocomposite of chitosan was prepared. Pd and Co nanoparticles were deposited on chitosan to produce a new heterogeneous recyclable catalyst for use in the bimetallic catalytic reduction reaction. The catalyst was characterized with common analysis methods for nanocomposites including Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction pattern, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, and applied in the reduction reaction of nitroaromatics using NaBH4 at room temperature. The bimetallic system gave good results compared to each of the applied metals. Various aromatic amines and diamines were used in the reduction reaction. The aromatic amines were obtained as the sole product of the reduction reaction with 15 mol% Pd and 12 mol% Co during 2h. This reaction had some advantages such as mild reaction conditions, high yield, green solvent, and a recyclable catalyst. Also, the recovered catalyst was applicable in the reduction reaction without a significant decrease in the activity for up to six times.