Catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of aromatic nitro and carbonyl compounds over novel Fe(III) substituted hexagonal mesoporous aluminophosphate (FeHMA) molecular sieve catalyst showed excellent regioselectivity/chemoselectivity as well as superior recycling capability. Furthermore, the reduction occurs without affecting other functional groups such as -CN, -CHO, -Cl, -CH3, -OCH3 and -NH2.