Transfer hydrogenation using recyclable polymer-supported formate (PSF): efficient and chemoselective reduction of nitroarenes.

Nitroarenes can be reduced in high yields to the corresponding anilines by transfer hydrogenation using a stable H-donor, polymer-supported formate (PSF) in combination with palladium acetate (catalytic). The reactions occur at 100-120 degrees C in dimethyl-formamide and the PSF can be recycled for at least three runs. The procedure is chemoselective for nitro group; ester, ketone, aldehyde, and halide substituents on aromatic ring remain unaffected.