General synthesis of secondary imines via reductive coupling of carbonyl and nitro compounds employing a reusable cobalt catalyst

Reusable nitrogen-doped carbon-encapsulated Co nanoparticle catalysts are found robust for the synthesis of secondary imines via the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds with NH3 or directly with nitro compounds. High yields of secondary imines (71-97%) could be due to the synergistic role of nitrogen atoms and small-size metallic Co nanoparticles.