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

Abstract

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.