A novel core@double shell magnetic nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as a support for palladium nanoparticles: A highly efficient magnetic catalyst in the direct reductive coupling of nitroarenes and alcohols

Palladium nanoparticles anchored to the core-double shell magnetic nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe3O4@N-C) nanotubes have been successfully synthesized and characterized. It is possible to load palladium nanoparticles inside and outside of the nanotube. The catalytic performance of the as-prepared nanohybrids was evaluated by the one-pot synthesis of the imine and secondary amine directly from the readily available and stable nitro-benzene and benzyl alcohol precursors under exogenous base and solvent-free conditions. It showed excellent performance in this cascade reaction, as measured by high nitrobenzene conversion (99%) and turnover frequency (3.96 h(-1)).