Co-N-doped carbon nanotubes supported on diatomite for highly efficient catalysis oxidative carbonylation of amines with CO and air

Abstract Cobalt-nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes stably supported on diatomite were obtained by employing Co(OAc) 2 /phenanthroline. The resulting material was found to be excellent catalysts for the carbonylation of a variety of amines with CO other than phosgene. Both high activity and selectivity were achieved in this carbonylation process, and it allows air as a cheap oxidizing agent. Moreover the catalyst could be recycled for several times with relatively higher activity compared to homogeneous catalyst palladium acetate.