Aromatic and aliphatic amines are key intermediates in
the synthesis
of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and agrochemicals. These amines are often
sourced from nitro compounds. The hydrogenation of nitro compounds
into amines requires harsh reaction conditions (e.g., high pressures
and high temperatures) or additives that are usually toxic. Here we
demonstrate the electrochemically-driven hydrogenation of nitro compounds
into amines in the hydrogenation compartment of a membrane reactor.
The hydrogen is sourced from water in an adjacent electrolysis compartment
separated by a hydrogen-permeable palladium membrane. Modifications
of the palladium membrane with catalyst coatings enabled a wide range
of commercially relevant nitro compounds to be hydrogenated into amines,
without any additives, at ambient pressure and room temperature. This
membrane reactor also enables nitro hydrogenation at high reagent
concentrations with high functional group tolerance.