Catalytic Properties of High Nitrogen Content Carbonaceous Materials

The influence of structural modifications on the catalytic activity of carbon materials is poorly understood. A collection of carbonaceous materials with different pore networks and high nitrogen content was characterized and used to catalyze four reactions to deduce structure–activity relationships. The CO₂ cycloaddition and Knoevenagel reaction depend on Lewis basic sites (electron‐rich nitrogen species). The absence of large conjugated carbon domains resulting from the introduction of large amounts of nitrogen in the carbon network is responsible for poor redox activity, as observed through the catalytic reduction of nitrobenzene with hydrazine and the catalytic oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine using hydroperoxide.