Replacing sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with electrocatalytic alcohols oxidation to construct hybrid water electrolysis systems is more economically attractive than conventional water splitting. Meanwhile, the electrooxidation of benzyl alcohol...

The traditional synthesis methods of imines are limited by expensive catalysts, harsh reaction conditions, and low atomic efficiency. The one-pot synthesis of imines using nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde is a promising reaction path. Transition metal catalytic transfer hydrogenation offers advantages in terms of safety. It has attracted the attention of industrial production and academia as an alternative to conventional hydrogenation processes. Herein, we report an environmentally friendly Co/g− C 3 N 4 nanocatalyst that uses inexpensive cobalt as the fundamental source of feedstock; formic acid is applied as the hydrogen donor, and the yield of the synthesis method can reach 96% under mild conditions. Besides, the catalyst proved to be stable and efficient despite five successive cycles of testing. Moreover, the excellent catalytic activity was demonstrated to be derived from the Co−N x site based on the mechanistic analysis and characterization. For this work, a pathway will be developed to produce transfer hydrogenation of nitro compounds.

An effective and eco-friendly catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) shows significance for new clean energy technologies. The TMPs are generally regarded as efficient electrocatalysts for HER. Unfortunately, the synthetic procedures of TMPs usually suffered from high cost, complexity, and toxicity caused by the use of chemical phosphorus sources. Phosphorus and nitrogen pollution lead to water eutrophication and consequent algae blooms. We use a kind of algae (caused by eutrophication) to develop TMP nanoparticles supported on the porous carbon matrix for HER by a one-step calcination treatment, the preparation method is sustainable, economical, and effective. For the optimal catalyst Co 2 P nanoparticles supported on chlorella-derived porous N-doped carbon matrix (Co 2 P-C-NPC), the HER overpotential is measured to be 151 mV (acid condition) and 252 mV (alkaline condition) at the current density of 10 mA cm À2 . The excellent HER performance results from the uniform dispersity, high content of carbon, phosphorus and nitrogen in the algae, the algae's high surface and porosity. If adverse element-rich biomass can be converted into a useful catalyst material, then the efficient and eco-friendly for water splitting is possible.

Benzimidazoles possess a series of applications for industrial chemistry and biomedicine. However, the complicated synthetic steps and harsh reaction conditions limit its further development. Herein, we reported an efficient, environmentally friendly, and stable bimetallic CoMoO4@C catalyst, which used low‐cost cobalt and molybdenum as the basic raw material. In base‐free conditions, it has been proved that the yield could achieve to 99.9% for the synthesis of benzimidazoles with liberating water as the sole byproduct, and the catalyst remains stable and efficient even after five successive cycle tests. Additionally, experiments and characterizations confirm the good oxidation activity of the catalyst benefits from the numerous oxygen vacancies provided by the high concentration of low‐valent cobalt (Co2+) and the doping of carbon improves the intermolecular transport of electrons. Furthermore, this strategy could potentially be applied in the industrial production of benzimidazoles.