Recyclable palladium catalyst for facile synthesis of imines from benzyl alcohols and nitroarenes

Using a supported palladium catalytic system, the reaction of nitroarenes with benzyl alcohols occurred smoothly via hydrogen transfer to produce imines in an atom-economical manner. The palladium species were dispersed well on hydrotalcite (HT) support and palladium nanoparticles with size of about 3.5   nm were formed during reaction. Both of the small size of palladium nanoparticles and the rich hydroxyl groups on HT surface enhanced the catalytic performance of Pd/HT. The catalytic system is recyclable and amenable to a variety of aromatic alcohols and nitro compounds.