An operationally simple and general process for the safe and selective reduction of nitro groups utilizing ppm Pd supported on Fe nanomaterials in aqueous solution of designer surfactant TPGS-750-M has been developed and successfully carried out at a 100 mmol scale. Preferred use of KBH 4 as the hydride source, at ambient temperature and pressure, lends this process suitable for a standard reaction vessel alleviating the need for specialized hydrogenation equipment. Calorimetry data parallel those expected for a classical nitro group reduction when measuring the heat of reaction (−896 to −850 kJ/mol).