Nanosized perovskite-type SmFeO3 powder, prepared through the thermal decomposition of Sm[Fe(CN)6].4H2O with an average particle diameter of 28 nm and a specific surface area of 42 m2 g−1, was used as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the efficient and selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds into the corresponding amines by using propan-2-ol as a hydrogen donor (reducing agent) and KOH as a promoter under microwave irradiation. This highly regio- and chemoselective catalytic method is fast, clean, inexpensive, high yielding and also compatible with the substrates containing easily reducible functional groups. In addition, the nanosized SmFeO3 catalyst can be reused without loss of activity.