A facile approach for the synthesis of magnetite microspheres with flower-like morphology is reported that proceeds via the reduction of iron(III) oxide under a hydrogen atmosphere. The ensuing magnetic catalyst is well characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, and Mössbauer spectroscopy and explored for a simple yet efficient transfer hydrogenation reduction of a variety of nitroarenes to respective anilines in good to excellent yields (up to 98%) employing hydrazine hydrate. The catalyst could be easily separated at the end of a reaction using an external magnet and can be recycled up to 10 times without any loss in catalytic activity.

Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Department of Physical Chemistry Faculty of Science Palacký University Šlechtitelů 27 783 71 Olomouc Czech Republic

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