Co3O4 Nanoparticles Supported on Mesoporous Carbon for Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Abstract A simple and scalable method for synthesizing Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles supported on the framework of mesoporous carbon (MC) was developed. Benefiting from an ion‐exchange process during the preparation, the cobalt precursor is introduced into a mesostructured polymer framework that results in Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles (ca. 3 nm) supported on MC (Co 3 O 4 /MC) with narrow particle size distribution and homogeneous dispersion after simple reduction/pyrolysis and mild oxidation steps. The as‐obtained Co 3 O 4 /MC is a highly efficient catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. Selectivities towards unsaturated alcohols are always higher than 95 % at full conversion. In addition, the Co 3 O 4 /MC shows high stability under the reaction conditions, it can be recycled at least six times without loss of activity.