Structure–Activity Relationship for the Catalytic Hydrogenation of Nitrobenzene by Single Platinum Atoms Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon

The preparation of N-doped carbon with well-defined and well-controlled doping of N species is a challenging work, especially with supported Pt atoms. Here, four kinds of N-doped carbons with well-controlled N species were synthesized using Friedel–Crafts reaction or thermal pyrolysis. It was found that the strong interaction between Pt and N in C–N═C and bridged −NH at the edge of heptazine rings in g-C3N4 improved the performance of Pt/g-C3N4 for nitrobenzene hydrogenation. The calculated turnover frequency of each Pt atom in Pt/g-C3N4 reached 42,865 h–1 at 50 °C, and it was stable for five cycles without agglomeration or leaching of Pt species. These findings provide a promising way for the rational design of the hydrogenation catalysts and the development of well-controlled N-doped carbon materials.