N-doped graphitic carbon-improved Co–MoO3 catalysts on ordered mesoporous SBA-15 for chemoselective reduction of nitroarenes.

Metallic Co–MoO 3 catalysts supported on ordered mesoporous SBA-15 were first prepared through in situ reaction of SBA-15-supported Co–Mo oxides with 1,10-phenanthroline. The resulting Co–MoO 3 /NC@SBA-15 catalysts with N-doped carbon (NC) exhibited high catalytic activity and chemoselectivity for selective reduction of various functionalized nitroarenes to the corresponding arylamines in ethanol with hydrazine hydrate at near room temperature (30 °C). For reduction of all tested substrates (28 examples), the catalyst could afford a conversion of >99% and arylamine selectivity of >99%. The excellent catalytic performance of the Co–MoO 3 /NC@SBA-15 was attributed to the Co–N χ (C)–Mo active sites generated through the interaction between the surface Co–N χ (C) and MoO 3 species, promoting the dissociation of hydrazine molecule into the active H* species for the reduction of nitro groups. After the seventh cycle for reduction of 4-methoxylnitrobenzene, the 2%Co–MoO 3 /NC@SBA-15 showed little change in catalytic performance, textural properties, size and dispersion of metal species and valence states of elements, indicating high stability and recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]