Nitrogen-doped mesoporous SiC materials with catalytically active cobalt nanoparticles for the efficient and selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes

Mesoporous nitrogen-doped silicon carbide catalysts with integrated cobalt nanoparticles (Co@N-SiC) were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of a microphase-separated block copolymer of polycarbosilane and polyethylene. The catalysts are highly active, reusable and offer selective hydrogenation of the nitro group in the presence of hydrogenation-sensitive functional groups.