Formic acid-promoted hydrodeoxygenation reactions over carbon encapsulated Co nanoparticles

Abstract

It is challenging to use formic acid as a hydrogen donor for reduction reactions over heterogeneous non-noble metal catalysts. Herein, a nitrogen-doped carbon encapsulated cobalt nanoparticle catalyst was found to be effective for catalytic transfer hydrodeoxygenation reactions with formic acid under mild conditions. After protection with a carbon layer, the Co nanoparticles became resistant to formic acid. Furthermore, the nitrogen atoms in the catalyst served as base sites, assisting the cobalt nanoparticles in transfer hydrogenation reactions.