Photoinduced Reduction of Nitrobenzenes to Primary Aromatic Amines

Primary aromatic amines were synthesized from the corresponding nitrobenzenes via photoinduced reduction. The reaction was found to be effective when nitrobenzenes with electron-withdrawing substituents were irradiated with a broad band of UV light centered at 306 nm. When reactions are completed, products could be isolated by acid–base extraction or by column chromatography. This presenting photoreaction procedure for the synthesis of primary aromatic amines from the corresponding nitrobenzenes proceeds without the need of a sensitizer in isopropanol or THF. Without the usage of catalysts, or stoichiometric reducing reagent containing heavy metals, this photoinduced reduction of nitrobenzenes fulfils the concept of green chemistry.