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

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-H 2 salen-hmta composite was first prepared by grinded completely the mixture of Co-H 2 Salen and hexamethylenetetramine (hmta) in 1:1 mol ratio in a mortar. The 3d–4f hetero-metal Co-Ce-H 2 salen coordination polymer acted as a support precursor and hmta provided the nitrogen source. Then, a target catalyst of Co/NC-CeO 2 -hmta were afforded by pyrolysis of Co-Ce-H 2 salen-hmta composite at 800°C in the presence of argon atmosphere. When the target catalyst of Co/NC-CeO 2 -hmta and reference catalysts were applied for the hydrogenation of nitroarenes under N 2 H 4 , the target catalyst of Co/NC-CeO 2 -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-CeO 2 -hmta were attributed to highly dispersed metallic Co 0 , rich oxygen vacancies, and nitrogen-doped carbon matrix.