Chemoselective transfer hydrogenation to nitroarenes mediated by cubane-type Mo3S4 cluster catalysts. 2012
Chemoselective cubes: Cubane-type [Mo(3)S(4)X(3)(dmpe)(3)](+) clusters (dmpe = 1,2-(bis)dimethylphosphinoethane), in combination with an azeotropic 5:2 mixture of HCOOH and NEt(3) 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.