Highly efficient selective hydrogenation of isophthalonitrile to M-xylenedimethylamine over Co–CaO/g-C3N4 without alkaline additives

Co–xCaO/g-C₃N₄ catalysts were prepared using incipient wetness impregnation method and applied in isophthalonitrile hydrogenation to M-xylenedimethylamine. The characterization results and experimental data indicate that introduction of CaO crates large number of basic sites and leads to electron rich Co, hence inhibits the side reaction and improves the selectivity to M-xylenedimethylamine. 10Co–2CaO/g-C₃N₄ gives the best catalytic performance of 100% conversion of isophthalonitrile and 95% selectivity to M-xylenedimethylamine without any alkaline additives in the reacion system. This work is valuable for the design and preparation of hydrogenation catalysts with rich basic sites and provides a green process for nitrile compounds to amine.