Cobalt catalyzed chemoselective reduction of nitroarenes: hydrosilylation under thermal and photochemical reaction conditions.

Commercially available Co(CO) was used as an effective catalyst for the hydrosilylation of nitroarenes under both thermal and photochemical conditions. A wide variety of nitroarenes with various functionalities were selectively reduced to aromatic amines. Syntheses of drug molecules expand the potential utility of this protocol. Experimental evidence suggested a radical pathway.