Fe2O3-supported nano-gold catalyzed one-pot synthesis of N-alkylated anilines from nitroarenes and alcohols.

Here, we show the one-step synthesis of N-alkylated anilines from nitrobenzenes and alcohols catalyzed by nano-gold catalyst. The yields to N-alkylated anilines were ∼90% under mild conditions. The mechanism of this reaction was explored. It shows promise for clean and simple synthesis of N-alkylated anilines. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011