Preparation of N‐doped Co/NC‐CeO₂‐hmta by pyrolysis of Co‐Ce‐Salen/hmta toward hydrogenation of nitroarenes under N₂H₄

Abstract

Since catalytic chemoselective reduction of corresponding nitroarenes is a significant route to produce functionalized anilines, developing inexpensive and highly active catalyst is imperia. Herein, the Co‐Ce‐H2salen‐hmta composite was first prepared by grinded completely the mixture of Co‐H2Salen and hexamethylenetetramine (hmta) in 1:1 mol ratio in a mortar. The 3d–4f hetero‐metal Co‐Ce‐H2salen coordination polymer acted as a support precursor and hmta provided the nitrogen source. Then, a target catalyst of Co/NC‐CeO2‐hmta were afforded by pyrolysis of Co‐Ce‐H2salen‐hmta composite at 800°C in the presence of argon atmosphere. When the target catalyst of Co/NC‐CeO2‐hmta and reference catalysts were applied for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes under N2H4, the target catalyst of Co/NC‐CeO2‐hmta exhibited better performance than reference catalysts in terms of conversion, yield, selectivity, and recyclability. Spectral analysis suggested that the high catalytic performance of a target catalyst of Co/NC‐CeO2‐hmta were attributed to highly dispersed metallic Co0, rich oxygen vacancies, and nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix.