Preparation of a Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/C Catalyst and Its Performance in Catalytic Reduction of <i>o-</i>Bromonitrobenzene to <i>o-</i>Bromoaniline Using Hydazine Hydrate

The aim of this study was to develop an efficient Fe2O3/C catalyst for the catalytic reduction of o-bromonitrobenzene by hydrazine hydrate to give o-bromoaniline. Activated carbon was used as the carrier and its catalytic activity was enhanced by loading it with Fe2O3. Different preparation methods and reaction conditions were used to optimize the morphology and performance of the catalysts. It was found that the Fe2O3/C catalyst prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method after 10 h hydrothermal reaction conditions possessed the highest activity and cycling stability. Results of analytical investigations showed that the catalyst was well dispersed on the activated carbon, and the pore structure was conducive to enhancing the catalytic reduction. For o-bromonitrobenzene, high conversion was finally achieved, providing a reference for the applications of this type of catalyst in the field of catalytic reductions.