Catalytic Reduction of p-Nitrotoluene with Hydrazine Hydrate in the Presence of iron Oxides

Abstract

The reduction of p-nitrotoluene to obtain p-toluidine with hydrazine hydrate catalyzed by iron oxides or iron hydroxides (amorphous iron oxide, a-iron oxide, r-iron oxide, goethite, hematite and magnetite) was studied. Despite above any iron oxides were effective for the reduction, amorphous iron oxide gave the best result.
From the results of repeated use of amorphous iron oxide, it was found that its catalytic activity was maintained up to nine times and no by-products were formed.
From the comparision of the data of X-ray diffraction and of electron microscope observation of the catalyst before use with those of finally recovered one (No.11), the former showed the absence of crystal structure (amorphous) and the latter showed evidently the presence of cr-Fe₂0₃ structure and each particle in the latter was enlarged and lost the sharpness of its edge.
It was concluded that the gradual change of amorphous FeOOH into crystalline a-Fe₂0₃ brouah about a decrease in the yield of 1-toluidine.