Catalytic reduction of aldehydic and nitro groups of nitro-benzaldehyde derivatives by silver nanoparticle–containing smart alginate-poly( <i>N</i> -isopropylacrylamide-methacrylic acid) microgels

Aromatic compounds containing aldehyde and nitro groups are very toxic to human health. Moreover, complete degradation of these compounds is not possible. Therefore, these compounds are converted into less toxic but more useful hydroxy-methyl aniline (HMA) derivatives. This conversion is performed using a suitable catalyst and a reducing agent. Therefore, alginate-poly(<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide-methacrylic acid) (AN-P(NIPAM-MAAc)) (AN-P(NM)) microgels were synthesized <i>via</i> a free radical precipitation polymerization (FRPP) method and were used as a micro-reactor for synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) into the polymeric network using <i>in situ</i> reduction methods. The synthesized AN-P(NM) microgels and Ag-AN-P(NM) hybrid microgels were characterized through SEM, FTIR, TEM, XRD, UV-vis spectroscopy, and EDX. Ag-AN-P(NM) exhibited temperature- and pH-responsive behavior as well as long-term stability of Ag nanoparticles in a polymeric network of AP(NM). Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (4NBA) was evaluated under different conditions, such as different contents of Ag-AN-P(NM), 4NBA concentrations, temperatures, and concentrations of NaBH₄. The Ag-AP(NM) hybrid microgels catalytically reduced 3-nitrobenzaldehyde (3NBA), 4NBA, and 3,5-dinitrobanzaldehyde (3,5DNBA) into their corresponding HA compounds in a water medium. The apparent rate constant (<i>k</i> _ob) values for 3NBA, 4NBA, and 3,5DNBA were found to be 1.73 min^-1, 1.48 min^-1, and 1.19 min^-1, respectively. Ag-AP(NM) exhibited outstanding catalytic efficiency, recyclability, and stability as well as retained its performance across multiple cycles.