8.13 Recent Developments in the Reduction of Nitro and Nitroso Compounds

Abstract

The present contribution highlights recent developments in the reduction of nitro and nitroso compounds over the past decade. New methodologies for the synthesis of amines, N-hydroxylamines and azocompounds from nitro and nitroso compounds are covered. Special attention is given to the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds leading to the formation of anilines. In this sense, a wide variety of novel and more environmentally friendly systems have been reviewed. The chapter also gives a brief insight into less-exploited areas such as the direct reduction of aliphatic nitro compounds to alkanes and emphasizes the importance of this transformation in the synthesis of complex and valuable complex scaffolds.