4-Nitrophenol Reduction: Probing the Putative Mechanism of the Model Reaction

The catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol is the most commonly employed model reaction used to test the activity of aqueous, colloidal catalysts. The reaction exhibits several features that make it an attractive tool for teaching nanoscience, catalysis, and kinetics. Indeed, this reaction is used in our own first year TSP laboratory course. Although nitroarene reduction has been known for over 150 years and this particular reaction has been employed for catalyst comparison since 2001, the catalytic mechanism is not yet fully understood. This seminar will detail our own investigations into the controversial reaction mechanism and relate how these new findings were able to improve our School’s own TSP laboratory practical.