Heterogeneous cobalt catalysts for reductive amination with H₂: General synthesis of secondary and tertiary amines

Heterogeneous Co@NC catalysts were prepared, characterized and applied for the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with H₂ gas. The Co catalyst Co@NC (800-2 h) was found to be active and selective for the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones using H₂ gas. Thus, general synthesis of secondary and tertiary amines was developed by the Co-catalyzed reductive amination with H₂ gas, and various secondary and tertiary amines can be obtained in high yields. Moreover, a practical synthesis of N-substituted isoindolinones was also presented by a one step process with the Co@NC (800-2 h) catalyst. The Co@NC (800-2 h) catalyst is reusable at least five times without evident loss of activity.