First report of p-nitrobenzonitrile gas phase hydrogenation over supported Au.
100% yield of p-aminobenzonitrile over Au/ZrO2 and Au/Al2O3.
Au/ZrO2 outperforms Au/Al2O3, Pd/Al2O3 and Ni/Al2O3.
Tetragonal → monoclinic ZrO2 on introduction of Au by deposition–precipitation.