Electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene via redox-mediated chronoamperometry

Athanasios D Stergiou; Daniel H Broadhurst; Mark D Symes

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101817

Electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene via redox-mediated chronoamperometry

STAR Protoc. 2022 Nov 4;3(4):101817. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101817. eCollection 2022 Dec 16.

Authors

Athanasios D Stergiou¹, Daniel H Broadhurst², Mark D Symes³

Affiliations

¹ WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. Electronic address: a.stergiou.1@research.gla.ac.uk.
² WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
³ WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK. Electronic address: mark.symes@glasgow.ac.uk.

Abstract

Anilines are important feedstocks for pharmaceuticals, dyes, and other materials, but traditional approaches to their syntheses usually lack selectivity and environmental sustainability. Here, we describe the selective reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline under mild conditions, using water as the ultimate source of the required protons and electrons. We describe the electrochemical cell assembly, and detail steps for electrochemical reduction followed by organic extraction and analysis of the extracts using NMR. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Stergiou and Symes (2022a).

Keywords: Chemistry; Material sciences; NMR.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Electrons*
Nitrobenzenes* / chemistry
Oxidation-Reduction

Substances

nitrobenzene
Nitrobenzenes