Selective reductive coupling of nitro aliphatic compounds with aldehydes in hydrogen using gold catalyst

Nitrones were synthesized in good yields directly from nitro aliphatic compounds, aldehydes, and H 2 using highly dispersed gold nanoparticles on titania. The high selectivity for nitrone synthesis contrasts with the platinum supported on carbon and corresponds to an increase from roughly 50% to 90%. The catalytic performance is tuned by precise control of the struc-ture of the active sites, the characteristics of the support and reaction conditions.