ZIF-67 derived CoSx/NC catalysts for selective reduction of nitro compounds

Transition metal sulfides (TMSs)-based materials have been extensively investigated as effective non-noble catalysts for various applications. However, the exploration of TMSs-based catalysts for hydrogenation of nitro compounds is limited. Herein, CoSx/NC catalysts were prepared by solvothermal sulfurization of ZIF-67, followed by high-temperature annealing (300–600 °C) under NH3 atmosphere. It was found that the structures and compositions of the as-prepared CoSx/NC can be readily tuned by varying the annealing temperature. Particularly, CoSx/NC-500, which possesses higher degree of S defects and larger specific surface areas, can achieve high conversion, selectivity and stability for catalytic reduction of nitro compounds into amines under mild reaction conditions.