Highly active and reducing agent-free preparation of cost-effective NiO-based carbon nanocomposite and its application in reduction reactions under mild conditions

Highly efficient and cost-effective NiO-based carbon nanocomposite (NiO/CNP) was prepared for the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic aldehydes and reduction of nitrophenols. Uniform dispersion of NiO nanoparticles, surface area of NiO/CNP (67 m2 g−1), chemical state and content of Ni in NiO/CNP (+2, 5.1 wt%) were confirmed. High rate constant (kapp) values of 4.2 × 10−2 s−1 and 3.06 × 10−2 s−1 were calculated for the NiO/CNP–catalyzed reduction of nitrophenols. The NiO/CNP demonstrated an excellent catalytic activity towards the transfer hydrogenation reactions under very mild reaction conditions. Chemoselectivity, heterogeneity, stability, reusability and scale reaction of the NiO/CNP system were tested.