Starch functionalized creatine for stabilization of gold nanoparticles: Efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of nitroarenes

Abstract

Selective reduction of nitroaromatic pollutants into amines with recoverable and reusable heterogeneous catalysts is highly desirable. Herein, we prepared and characterized an efficient novel catalyst comprising 4 nm size Au nanoparticles supported on creatine modified starch. Using this catalyst, efficient reduction of nitroarenes into amines at room temperature in aqueous media was achieved. The presence of creatine in the structure of the catalyst plays important role in amount of Au loading, efficiency of the catalyst, recycling times, and leaching of Au compared to starch supported Au without creatine.