Protein–metal ion networks coated carbon matrix as a precursor: to construct carbon-supported Mo-based catalysts with highly exposed active sites for hydrogenation of nitro compounds

Carbon-supported non-precious metal catalysts with highly exposed active sites have great potential for applications in the hydrogenation reduction of nitro compounds. Herein, a strategy for the preparation of carbon-supported Mo-based catalysts (Mo@C/MC) is proposed. Protein–Mo ion networks are first coated on the surface of microsphere carbons (MC). The coated MC employed as a precursor is then pyrolyzed to produce carbon-supported Mo-based catalysts. Notably, neither pore-forming agents nor post-treatment is required in the preparation of the catalyst. The active sites tend to disperse uniformly on the surface of the carbon matrix, facilitating the exposure of the active sites of the catalyst. The as-prepared catalyst Mo@C/MC shows high conversion (>99%) and selectivity (>98%) for the hydrogenation of nitro compounds under mild reaction conditions (100 °C, 5 bar H2).