Application of a reusable Co-based nanocatalyst in alcohol dehydrogenative coupling strategy: Synthesis of quinoxaline and imine scaffolds

Abstract A nitrogen doped carbon supported cobalt catalyzed efficient synthesis of imines and quinoxaline motifs is reported. Co(OAc)2-Phen/Carbon-800 (Co-phen/C-800) showed the superior reactivity compared to other materials prepared at different temperature, in the synthesis of quinoxalines by the coupling between diamines and diols. Moreover, applying the transfer hydrogenation and acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling strategy, imines and quinoxaline derivatives were synthesized from the nitro compounds. The practical applicability of this protocol was demonstrated by the gram-scale synthesis and the reusability of the catalyst upto 8th cycle. Furthermore, several kinetic experiments were carried out to realize the probable mechanism.