General synthesis of secondary imines via reductive coupling of carbonyl and nitro compounds employing a reusable cobalt catalyst

Abstract

Reusable nitrogen-doped carbon-encapsulated Co nanoparticle catalysts are found robust for the synthesis of secondary imines via the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds with NH₃ or directly with nitro compounds. High yields of secondary imines (71–97%) could be due to the synergistic role of nitrogen atoms and small-size metallic Co nanoparticles.