# Paramagnetic active sites boosted hydrogenation of p-nitroaniline over prCeO2 supported Pt catalysts

## TL;DR

A new catalyst efficiently converts p-nitroaniline to p-phenylenediamine under mild, green conditions using paramagnetic active sites.

## Contribution

Introduces paramagnetic active sites at the Pt–prCeO2 interface as a novel strategy for catalysis.

## Key findings

- The catalyst achieves >99% yield in p-nitroaniline hydrogenation under green conditions.
- Paramagnetic active sites enhance hydrogen spillover via unpaired electrons.
- The catalyst retains 50% of its performance after 20 reuse cycles.

## Abstract

Developing efficient catalysts for p-nitroaniline hydrogenation under green conditions is pivotal for sustainable chemical synthesis. Herein, we report a Pt catalyst supported on a self-made prCeO2 support that achieves >99% yield in the hydrogenation of p-nitroaniline to p-phenylenediamine under exceptionally green conditions (35 °C, 5 mg catalysts, 69 mg substrate, H2 balloon, 10 h, 2 mL methanol solvent). The superior performance is linked to paramagnetic active sites at the Pt–prCeO2 interface, generated at an optimal reduction temperature of 400 °C, and enhanced hydrogen spillover via their unpaired electrons. After reusing it 20 times, it still retains 50% of its original performance. This work introduces paramagnetic active sites as a novel strategy for catalysis chemistry and synthesis.

The paramagnetic active sites were created at the Pt–prCeO2 interface and generated at an optimal reduction temperature of 400 °C, and enhanced hydrogen spillover via their unpaired electrons.