Metal–organic framework-derived cobalt nanoparticles modified nitrogen-doped porous carbon hybrids for efficient hydrogenation and one-pot reductive acetylation of nitroarenes

Herein, a series of cobalt nanoparticles embedded in nitrogen-doped porous carbon catalyst (Co@NPC) was prepared through the pyrolysis of tetragonal Co-based metal–organic framework which consisted of Co centers and benzimdazole linkers. Due to large BET specific surface area (389.41 m2/g), abundant metallic Co content (39.3%), small Co nanoparticle size and high pyridinic-N content, the as-obtained Co@NPC-700 catalyst exhibited superior catalytic performance for the hydrogenation and one-pot reductive acetylation of nitrobenzene. The high 99.80% conversion of nitrobenzene and 99.56% yield of aniline were acquired in the catalytic hydrogenation of nitrobenzene with hydrazine hydrate at 80 °C for 2 h. Simultaneously, the above catalyst showed high conversion (87.2%) and selectivity (95.3%) for the one-pot reductive acetylation of nitrobenzene in the presence of phenyl silane at room temperature. Additionally, Co@NPC-700 exhibited excellent activities for the catalytic hydrogenation and one-pot reductive acetylation of other nitroarenes as well as good recyclability. This work offered a facile approach to prepare metallic Co loaded on porous carbons, serving as efficient catalysts for catalytic reductive applications.