Cobalt-immobilized carbon-based nano-catalyst for C-N cross coupling reaction

C-N cross coupling reaction is very important in synthesis of pharmaceuticals, natural products, agrochemicals, fine chemicals and functional materials. Traditionally, palladium or copper metals are used for C-N coupling reaction. As palladium is expensive, we developed cobalt immobilized carbon-based nano-catalyst Co@CC for C-N coupling. In this work, we synthesized non-noble metal-based Co@CC nano-catalyst by carbonization of glucose, it's functionalization followed by immobilization of cobalt on the surface of the catalyst. The catalyst was well characterized. The C-N cross coupling reaction of various aryl halides & amines using Co@CC nano -catalyst was optimized for solvent, reaction temperature & catalyst concentration conditions. The catalyst showed high catalytic activity for C-N coupling of various aryl halides & amines to form aryl amines in good to excellent yield up to 91 % in sulfolane as a solvent at 150 degrees C. The catalyst showed recyclability up to 5 times. The method developed for C-N coupling reaction was noble metal free, ligand free, recyclable, sustainable, economical & environmentally friendly.