Yeast supported gold nanoparticles: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of commercially important aryl amines

Candida parapsilosisATCC 7330 supported gold nanoparticles (CpGNP), prepared by a simple and green method can selectively reduce nitroarenes and substituted nitroarenes with different functional groups like halides (-F, -Cl, -Br), olefins, esters and nitriles using sodium borohydride. The product aryl amines which are useful for the preparation of pharmaceuticals, polymers and agrochemicals were obtained in good yields (up to >95%) using CpGNP catalyst under mild conditions. The catalyst showed high recyclability (≥10 cycles) and is a robust free flowing powder, stored and used after eight months without any loss in catalytic activity.