The iron oxide was successfully supported on activated clay/carbon through an experimentally viable protocol for both hydrations of nitrile to amide and reduction of nitro compounds to amines. The asprepared catalyst has been extensively characterised by XPS, SEM-EDX, TEM, TGA, BET surface area measurements and powdered X-ray diffraction (PXRD). A wide variety of substrates could be converted to the desired products with good to excellent yields by using water as a green solvent for both the reactions. The catalyst was recyclable and reusable up to six consecutive cycles without compromising its catalytic proficiency.

Activated Mont K10 carbon-supported Fe2O3 is a very efficient and versatile heterogeneous catalytic system for hydration of nitriles to amides and reduction of nitro compounds to amines and can be reused up to six consecutive cycles without significant loss in catalytic activity.