Au/Ag-Mo nano-rods catalyzed reductive coupling of nitrobenzenes and alcohols using glycerol as the hydrogen source.

A highly efficient Au/Ag-Mo nano-rods catalyst was prepared for the one-pot synthesis of imine and amine using equal molar ratio of nitrobenzene and alcohol as starting materials, and bio-based glycerol as the hydrogen source. The reaction mechanism of the nitrobenzene reduction, amine and aldehyde coupling, and imine reduction was explored.