Tuning the electronic propertyo fat ransition metal plays an importantr ole in the selectivec atalysis. Herein, the control synthesis of (Pd x Ni y )-P nanoparticles is reported. The binding energy of Pd3d 5/2 as af unctiono f x/y ratio is wellt unable from 335.3 to 335.9 eV.T he composition-induced electronic modulation was correlated with the selectivecatalysis of (Pd x Ni y )-P in the reduction of halogenated nitrobenzenes.T he electro-deficiency of Pd helped to improvet he selectivity.T he amorphous (Pd 38 Ni 26 )P 36 /C performed an exceptional selectivityi n comparison with other related( Pd-Ni)-P/C, Pd 38 Ni 26 /C, and Pd/C. Various halogenated nitrobenzenes( chlorides, bromides, and iodide) were tolerant and the corresponding halogenated anilinesw ere obtained in high yields. This work provides some clues for the rational designofbimetallic phosphides with covalent interactions to boost the catalysis.Tuning the electronic property of transition metal plays an important role in the selectivecatalysis, and the electrons transfer usually occurs by meanso fc oordinated or covalentb onds. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Metal phosphides (M-P) including metal-P covalent bonds have been extensively studied in heterogeneousc atalysis. [8][9][10][11][12] They are synthesized by the co-reduction of metal precursor and phosphine in one pot. [12,13] The interaction between noble metal andm etalloid elementm ade the metal electronic deficient and also formed ah igh energy barrier for subsurface chemistry,segregation, and metal-hydride formation. [14][15][16] Thus, M-P have been employed as ac lass of efficient hydrogenation catalysts. [8,[10][11][12]16] Reduction of nitrobenzenes to access to substituted anilines is one of the critical issues in chemical transformationsa st he products are key intermediates for the fine chemical, agrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The selective reduction of the nitro group over other reducible groups in the same molecule is challenging. It is well known that Pd is a highly active catalystf or the reduction of nitrobenzenes,a nd many efforts have been made mainly based on the support or ligand effects to control the selectivity of Pd-based catalysts. However, they have still serious limitations in the reactionc onditions or substrate generality. [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] For the production of halogenated aniline from the corresponding halogenated nitrobenzene, the preservation of carbon-halide (CÀX) bond is necessary. [25] Palladium and Ni-based materials are well knownand versatile catalysts for cross-couplingr eactions, due to their high ability to cleave C-X bonds. [26][27][28] These bonds become morei nstable when coupled with nitro group. Therefore, it is still a challenge using Pd-or Ni-based materials to catalyze the selective reduction of halogenated nitrobenzenes to the corresponding halogenateda nilines, compared with Pt catalysts. [29] It was reported that the electron-rich Pd couldl ower energy barrierf or the cleavage of the CÀXb ond. [3] On the contrary, electronic...