Synthesis of N-aryl and N-heteroaryl hydroxylamines via partial reduction of nitroarenes with soluble nanoparticle catalysts.

Polystyrene-supported ruthenium nanoparticles enable the selective hydrazine-mediated reduction of nitroarenes to hydroxylamine products in high yield and selectivity. Key to obtaining the hydroxylamine product in good yield was the use of organic solvents capable of solubilizing the polystyrene-supported nanoparticle catalyst. N -aryl and N -heteroaryl hydroxylamines are generated under exceptionally mild conditions and in the presence of a various easily reduced functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]