Photoinduced Selective Hydrogenation of Nitroarenes Mediated by Ag@ZnO Nanocomposite via a Facile Green In Situ Approach

Abstract

A facile and environmentally benign methodology has been adopted for the synthesis of novel core–shell Ag@ZnO nanocomposite using Imperata cylindrica (L.) leaf extract. Characterization was performed by UV–Vis, FT‐IR, PL, SEM‐EDX, TEM‐SAED, and XRD. The nanocomposite demonstrated excellent efficiency in the reduction of various nitroarenes to their corresponding arylamines under visible light irradiation at room temperature. The advantages of this catalyst encompass its ease of accessibility, operational simplicity, and minimal loading to achieve high yields with excellent selectivity. It is effective across a broad range of substrates in short reaction times with green solvent. The heterogenous nature of the catalyst ensures exceptional reusability, highlighting its efficacy and versatility in organic transformations.