Catalysis in polysiloxane gels: platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation of polymethylhydrosiloxane leading to reusable catalysts for reduction of nitroarenes.

Novel polysiloxane gels, to which platinum species are encapsulated, are prepared by treatment of polymethylhydrosiloxane with alkenes in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst. These gels act as reusable catalysts in the reduction of functionalized nitroarenes with H(2) to the corresponding substituted anilines without leaking the catalyst species.