Abstract: There is provided an improved process for the reduction of optionally substituted dinitrobenzenes to the corresponding nitroanilines with high yields which comprises contacting the dinitrobenzene with hydrogen in an acidic medium in the presence of a catalytic amount of a combination of a noble metal hydrogenation catalyst, and iron or an iron salt. Isomer specific reductions may be achieved with those compounds containing suitable directing substituents.The 2-halo-5-nitroanilines which may be produced in this process may be converted via a multi-step synthesis to useful 1-aryl-4-substituted 1,4-dihydro-5H-tetrazol-5-one herbicides.