Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation to Nitroarenes Mediated by Cubane-Type Mo3S4 Cluster Catalysts

Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation to Nitroarenes Mediated by Cubane-Type Mo3S4 Cluster Catalysts:

Chemoselective cubes: Cubane-type [Mo₃S₄X₃(dmpe)₃]⁺ clusters (dmpe=1,2-(bis)dimethylphosphinoethane), in combination with an azeotropic 5:2 mixture of HCOOH and NEt₃ as the reducing agent, act as selective cluster catalysts (X=H) or precatalysts (X=Cl) for the transfer hydrogenation of functionalized nitroarenes, without the formation of hazardous hydroxylamines.