Fig. 3: Catalytic activity and substrate scope.

a Kinetic curves and b comparison of TOFs for various commercial and reported catalysts in the model reaction of nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol. c₁–c₅ Substrate applicability: ^a Reaction conditions: nitro compounds (0.2 mmol), alcohols (0.6 mmol), KOH (0.54 mmol), petroleum ether (6 mL), Zn/CS (0.09 mol% [Zn], Zn: PhNO₂), reacted at 120 °C for 21 h. ^b Reaction time was 36 h. ^c Toluene (4 mL), Zn/CS (0.17 mol% [Zn]), reacted at 130 °C for 24 h. ^d Zn/CS (0.17 mol% [Zn]), reacted at 130 °C for 36 h. ^e Reacted at 120 °C for 48 h. ^f Zn/CS (0.17 mol% [Zn]), reacted at 130 °C for 48 h. ^g Toluene (4 mL), Zn/CS (0.17 mol% [Zn]), reacted at 130 °C for 36 h. ^h Toluene (4 mL), Zn/CS (0.17 mol% [Zn]), reacted at 130 °C for 48 h. ⁱ Zn/CS (0.3 mol% [Zn]), reacted at 130 °C for 21 h. Yields of the product were isolated yield, and the corresponding NMR spectra were shown in the supporting information.