Reduction of 4-nitrophenol using green-fabricated metal nanoparticles

Abstract

Noble metal (silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd)) nanoparticles have gained increasing attention due to their importance in several research fields such as environmental and medical research. This review focuses on the basic perceptions of the green synthesis of metal nanoparticles and their supported-catalyst-based reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). The mechanisms for the formation of these nanoparticles and the catalytic reduction of 4-NP are discussed. Furthermore, the parameters that need to be considered in the catalytic efficiency calculations and perspectives for future studies are also discussed.

Fig. 1. Schematic representing the history of publications from 2000–2022 (up to 8^th March) on 4-nitrophenol/p-nitrophenol from Web of Science search results.

Fig. 2. Schematic representing the history of 4-nitrophenol acquired during the production of paracetamol from phenol as an intermediate product.

Fig. 3. Possible understanding of the conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol using NaBH₄ and metal nanoparticles as an H₂ source and catalyst, respectively.

Yetzin Rodriguez Mejía

Naveen Kumar Reddy Bogireddy