Simple one-pot synthesis of Rh-Fe3O4 heterodimer nanocrystals and their applications to a magnetically recyclable catalyst for efficient and selective reduction of nitroarenes and alkenes.

A simple synthesis of Rh-Fe(3)O(4) heterodimer nanocrystals was achieved by controlled one-pot thermolysis. The nanocrystals exhibited excellent activities for the selective reduction of nitroarenes and alkenes. Furthermore the nanocrystal catalyst could be easily separated by a magnet, and recycled eight times without losing the catalytic activity.