Bi-functional catalyst of porous N-doped carbon with bimetallic FeCu for solvent-free resultant imines and hydrogenation of nitroarenes

The efficient and stable catalyst applied to the transformation of amines into the corresponding imines and hydrogenation of nitroarenes under mild reaction conditions is reported. The catalytic performance of porous N-doped carbon with FeCu (FeCu@NPC) catalyst are tested by aromatic alcohol-based N-alkylated of amines with solvent-free and hydrogenation of nitroarenes via N2H4 center dot H2O. The results proved that the yield of these two reactions are all over 99.9% under optimum condition. Moreover, the synergistic effect of the catalyst for N-alkylated reaction was investigated through the kinetic study. The catalyst can be easily separated from reaction system by an external magnetism, and can be recycled and reutilized for at least 4 runs with conversions are all over 75%. The study of the catalyst indicated that it was suitable for the reactions in industry. Hence, the catalysis process by the inexpensive metals-based catalyst is green and sustainable.