Ambient reductive synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds over cellulose-derived carbon supported Pt nanocatalyst under H2 atmosphere

Abstract

N-heterocyclic compounds are important chemicals, and their reductive synthesis using H₂ under mild conditions is attractive but challenging. Herein, we report chemoselective hydrogenation of 2-nitroacylbenzenes to 2,1-benzisoxazoles under ambient conditions for the first time, wihch is achieved over cellulose-derived carbon (c-C) supported Pt nanocatalyst (Pt/c-C), and a series of 2,1-benzisoxazoles can be obtained in excellent yields. Pt/c-C also shows high performance for ambient reductive amination of levulinic acid with H₂, accessing various pyrrolidones in excellent yields. The systematic studies indicated that the c-C support played multiple roles in catalysis with enhancing electron density of the Pt nanoparticles and activating reactant molecules. Especially, the O-containing groups on the c-C surface provided the c-C support with both acid and base features, thus endowing Pt/c-C with high performances. This work provides an accessible and highly efficient catalyst for reductive synthesis of N-heterocycles using H₂ under ambient conditions, which may have promising applications.