The present invention refers to a process for preparing mesoporous carbon (MC) loaded with catalytically active metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles, the so- obtained MC loaded with metal oxide nanoparticles and the use thereof as a catalyst in a transfer hydrogenation process of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols. Thus, the present invention also refers to a transfer hydrogenation process of a, β-un saturated aldehydes to unsaturated alcohols catalyzed by metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles, in particular by Co3O ₄ nanoparticles supported on MC.

The production of high value-added chemicals from biomass is of a major interest to reduce dependence of petroleum-based chemicals. Furan derivatives of furfural (FAL) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which can be produced from hemicellulose and cellulose respectively, are considered as promising platform molecules to bridge the gap between biomass resources and bio-chemicals since they can be converted into a variety of high value-added chemicals and fuels. Particularly, selective hydrogenation of FAL to furfuryl alcohol (FOL) and HMF to 2,5-bis-(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF) has great potential for industrial applications, because FOL and BHMF can be used as precursors in synthesis of polymers, resins and adhesives, and as intermediates in generation of drugs and crown ethers.

However, due to the different functionalities of furan-based α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (e.g., furan ring, C=C and C=O groups), only selective hydrogenation of C=O bond is challenging. Many byproducts were often formed by hydrogenolysis of the -CH=O side chain to -CH ₃ , or hydrogenation of the furan ring and its opening, leading to low yield of the desired unsaturated alcohols and increasing cost of product purification. In general, conventional hydrogenation catalysts based on noble or metals (e.g., Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh, Cu, or Ni) show high activity but poor selectivity toward unsaturated alcohols. In order to enhance the selectivity for unsaturated alcohols over such catalysts, additives, stabilizers/ligands, second metal components or functional supports were introduced into the catalytic system or catalysts. In some cases high selectivity toward unsaturated alcohols and high activity were indeed achieved using above methods. However, due to the complexity of reaction mechanism (e.g., competitive/non-competitive, dissociative/non-dissociative adsorption, side reaction), selectivities and activities in these cases can be affected by a series of factors, including the structure/component of catalysts (e.g., particle size, shape, molar ratio of different components) and the reaction conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure and solvents). In other words, dramatic decrease of selectivity and/or activity often occurs because it is very difficult to control these factors precisely, especially in large scale applications.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop a simple method for scale-up of catalyst synthesis; the catalysts must be highly active and selective towards unsaturated alcohols in a simple catalytic system, which is also controllable and scalable. Thus, the design of suitable catalyst and/or catalytic system that facilitate selective hydrogenation of C=O bond in the presence of other functionalities is highly desirable.

Porous carbon structures on the basis of carbon aerogels and being loaded with catalytically active metal nanoparticles and/or metal oxide nanoparticles are known from ChemElectroChem 2015, pages 2079-2088. However, the carbon structures are microporous to mesoporous having very small pores of 2 nm to 4 nm and thus pores having a restricted access only. A clear teaching to obtain larger mesoporous structures only is not given in said reference. The inventors of the present invention have developed a process in which a mesostructured polymer gel is firstly synthesized using 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DA) and hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) as polymer precursors and a triblock copolymer such as P123 as surfactant without the addition of a fatty acid salt such as sodium oleate under hydrothermal process conditions (such as at 130 °C for 4 h), and secondly, introducing the Co ²⁺ ions homogenously into the mesostructured polymer gel framework in the ion-exchanging step, and thirdly, treating the so- obtained polymer gel loaded with Co ²⁺ ions at an elevated temperature for reduction (500 °C, 10% H ₂ in argon) first, and then mild oxidation (room temperature, 1 % O ₂ in argon) so that Co ₃ O ₄ nanoparticles supported on MC (Co3O ₄ /MC) are formed after (Figure 1 ). Said synthetic processes are easy to scale up. The inventors found out that, in case of Co ₃ O /MC, the MC support is highly mesoporous and the Co3O ₄ nanoparticles with a diameter of ~3 nm are finely dispersed in the mesoporous framework of MC (Figure 2a, b). Many macropores are also observed in SEM images (Figure 2c), which may be generated from the polymer gel structure. STEM images further confirm that the Co ₃ O nanoparticles are dispersed very well in the framework of MC with narrow particle size distribution (Figure 2d-f). Most importantly, no bigger Co3O ₄ particles are formed using the present synthesis method. XRD pattern shows the typical reflections corresponding to the Co ₃ O crystals (PDF-2 entry 43-1003), indicating the formation of Co3O ₄ nanoparticles after the reduction and mild oxidation processes (Figure 2g). XPS spectrum further confirms the formation of Co3O ₄ nanoparticles (Figure 2h). Based on AAS analysis (Atomic absorption spectrometer, Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 200), the Co fraction in Co ₃ O /MC is 15 wt%, corresponding to a Co3O ₄ fraction of 20 wt%. N ₂ sorption isotherm of Co3O ₄ MC shows a type-IV curve that is characteristic of mesoporous structure (Figure 2i). In addition, the sorption increase in the high relative pressure region (p/p ₀ >0.9) indicates the existence of macropores, which is consistent with the SEM observation. The surface area and pore size distribution of Co3O ₄ MC are 642 m ² g ^"1 and 1 1 nm, respectively. Without introducing Co species, MC with surface area of 722 m ² g ^"1 and pore size of -9.5 nm is generated directly after carbonization at 800 °C in argon (Figure 3). This material is a good candidate as catalyst support or adsorbent. Using traditional impregnation methods, the metal particle size distribution is always broad, which leads to the inefficient use of the Co species because of the size-dependent activity of Co3O ₄ . The present synthesis method is suitable to generate Co3O ₄ nanoparticles with narrow size distribution in the range from 2 to 5 nm, preferably 2 to 4 nm, in particular 2.5 to 3.5 nm (~3 nm) and disperse them in a mesoporous framework of MC homogeneously, which realizes the highly efficient utilization of Co species.

The invention is therefore directed to a process for preparing a mesoporous carbon structure (MC) loaded with catalytically active metal nanoparticles and/or metal oxide nanoparticles, comprising the following steps:

reacting an aromatic compound having at least one -COOH group and having at least one hydroxyl group with an aldehyde or compound in the presence of an aliphatic amine, said amine having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and at least two amine groups, and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer surfactant under hydrothermal conditions in molar ratios of 1 to 3 (aromatic compound) to 1 to 5 (of reacting aldehyde group) in the presence of the aliphatic amine (0.5 to 1 .5) and surfactant (0.03 to 0.09), whereby a mesostructured polymer gel is obtained,

treating the obtained mesostructured polymer gel with a solution of a metal salt or with a mixture of different salts which is simply an ion-exchanging step whereby a mesostructured polymer gel loaded with metal ions is obtained, treating the obtained polymer gel loaded with metal ions in a protective gas atmosphere at an elevated temperature in the range of 400 °C to 1000 °C whereby a mesoporous carbon structure loaded with catalytically active metal nanoparticles and/or metal oxide nanoparticles is obtained.

In the process, the aromatic compound is linked with the aldehyde in the presence of the amine and a mesostructured polymer gel is obtained. The obtained polymer gel is then loaded with metal ions which may finally be present as metal particles and/or metal oxide particles, depending on the metal. The protective gas atmosphere serves for a carbonization of the polymer gel into the desired mesoporous carbon structure and the oxygen content should be as low in order not to allow an oxidation of said MC structure. Depending on the reaction conditions, a noble metal will be present as metal particles whereas non-noble metals will be present as a metal which might optionally be further oxidized to a corresponding metal oxide and which may be obtainable by treating the obtained mesoporous carbon structure in a gas atmosphere with an oxygen content under conditions under the MC support is not oxidized, preferably in a temperature range from 20 °C to 200 °C, more preferred at a temperature between 20 °C and 100 °C whereby a mesoporous carbon network structure loaded with catalytically active metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles is obtained.

As an alternative process, the mesoporous carbon structure loaded with catalytically active metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles may be obtained by reacting an aromatic compound having at least one -COOH group and having at least one hydroxyl group with an aldehyde in presence of an aliphatic amine, said amine having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and at least two amine groups, and an amphiphilic triblock copolymer surfactant under hydrothermal conditions in molar ratios of 1 to 3 (aromatic compound) to 1 to 5 (of reacting aldehyde group) in the presence of the aliphatic amine (0.5 to 1 .5) and surfactant (0.03 to 0.09), whereby a mesostructured polymer gel is obtained,

treating the obtained polymer gel in a protective gas atmosphere at an elevated temperature in the range of 400 °C to 1000 °C, whereby a mesoporous carbon structure is obtained,

impregnating the obtained mesoporous carbon structure with a solution of a metal salt or with a mixture of different salts whereby a mesoporous carbon structure loaded with metal ions is obtained;

treating the obtained mesoporous carbon structure loaded with metal ions in a protective gas atmosphere at an elevated temperature in the range of 200 °C to 1000 °C, optionally in the presence of hydrogen whereby a mesoporous carbon structure loaded with catalytically active metal nanoparticles and/or metal oxide nanoparticles is obtained. In the latter process, an empty mesoporous structure is prepared first, and in a further step loaded with the metal ions which are then converted to the metal and/or metal oxide particles. In the inventive process, the aromatic compound having at least one -COOH group and having at least one hydroxyl group may be selected from aromatic hydrocarbons such as phenyl, naphthyl, or anthryl, and can be, as example, dihydroxy benzoic acid. The aromatic compound may preferably have up to three -COOH groups and up to three hydroxyl groups whereby an aromatic compound having three or four functional groups, with at least one -COOH group and at least one hydroxyl group and the other(s) being selected from -COOH and hydroxyl, is preferred. Preferably, the aromatic compound is used in an amount of 2 wt% to 20 wt% based on the weight of the solvent. The aldehyde may be selected from an aliphatic Ci to C ₁₂ hydrocarbon aldehyde such as formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, furfuraldehyde, acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, an aromatic aldehyde such as benzaldehyde or substituted derivatives thereof or a compound which can be decomposed into formaldehyde such as hexamethylenetetramine and urea. The expression "aldehyde compound" is intended to indicate one -CHO-unit used for bridging the aromatic compound.

The aliphatic amine serves as a linker between the -COOH group of two aromatic compounds or as base to neutralize the acidity of the aromatic compound with - COOH group and may be any aliphatic hydrocarbon having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and having at least two, three or four amino groups. Examples are ethylene diamine, propylene diamine, hexane diamine, octane triamine, or mixtures of different aliphatic amines. Preferably, the aliphatic amine is soluble in or miscible with water. As surfactant, an amphiphilic triblock copolymer such as a poly(ethylene oxide)- poly(alkylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer, exemplarily a poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) polymer, e.g. Pluronic polymers having a general structure of 2 to 130 terminal ethylene oxide units on either side of the polymer and 15 to 67 central propylene oxide units, is used in the inventive process. The central alkylene oxide moiety has at least three carbon atoms. Thus, amphiphilic triblock copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)- poly(ethylene oxide) are most preferred. Preferably, said amphiphilic triblock copolymers are used as the only surfactant and no further surface-active materials are added in the hydrothermal treatment.

The hydrothermal treatment is generally carried out in an aqueous solution at a temperature in the range of 60 °C or more up to 200 °C, preferably from about 80 °C to 200 °C, for an usual reaction time in the range of 0.5 to 48 hours, preferably under autogenous pressure in an autoclave which pressure is usually in the range of 1 bar to 20 bar.

During the hydrothermal treatment, the aromatic compound having at least one -COOH group and having at least one hydroxyl group is reacted with the aldehyde compound in a kind of phenol-aldehyde resin formation process in the presence of the amphiphilic triblock copolymer as surfactant, thus leading to the mesostructured polymer gel which is then optionally comminuted or grinded and optionally washed, preferably with water, and then treated with the metal salt. In the next process step, the mesostructured polymer gel is converted, in a protective gas atmosphere at an elevated temperature, to the MC loaded with metal and/or metal oxide particles.

In the hydrothermal treatment step, the aromatic compound having at least one - COOH group and having at least one hydroxyl group is preferably polymerized with the aldehyde or the aldehyde (precursor) compound producing the aldehyde group in molar ratios of 1 to 3 (aromatic compound) to 1 to 5 (of reacting aldehyde group) in the presence of the aliphatic amine (0.5 to 1 .5) and surfactant (0.03 to 0.09). In a very simple ratio, the compounds as indicated before are used in a ratio of 2 : 3: 1 : 0.06. In a particular embodiment, the compound producing the -CHO group can be preferably used in over-stoichiometric amounts in order to ensure complete crosslinking of the aromatic molecules. If needed, the pH of the reaction mixture in the hydrothermal treatment is adjusted to a weakly basic range from 7 to 12.

In the next step, the obtained mesostructured polymer gel is treated with a solution of a metal salt whereby a mesostructured polymer gel loaded with metal ions is obtained. In such ion-exchanging step, the ions attached to the polymer, commonly H ⁺ or NH ⁺ , are exchanged against the metal ions. In such step, the pH of the solution may be adjusted to 7 to 12 by adding a base such as ammonia. The temperature in the ion-exchanging step may be about 25°C to 100°C, the reaction time may be about 0.5 to 48 hours.

As a catalytically active metal, any metal is suitable and is selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Mo, Se, Sn, Pt, Ru, Rh, Zr, Hf, Re, Pd, W, Ir, Os, Rh, Nb, Ta, Pb, Bi, Au, Ag, Sc, Y and preferably from Fe, Co, Ni, Pt, Ru, Rh and Pd. Co is most preferred.

The metal may be applied in the form of a salt and mixtures thereof, preferably in the form of a solution of a metal salt or a mixture thereof, which are later in the process converted to the metal, metal alloy or metal oxides, depending on the used metal. The metal may be used in an amount to provide a metal load of 0,1 wt% up to 30 wt.%, preferably 3 to 20 wt%, more preferred 5 to 15 wt.% referred to the final product.

In the next step, the obtained polymer gel loaded with metal ions is treated in a protective gas atmosphere, preferably at an elevated temperature in the range of 400 °C to 1000 °C whereby a mesoporous carbon (MC) structure loaded with metal particles and/or metal oxide particles is obtained. A protective gas atmosphere is to be generally understood as an atmosphere which does not allow the oxidation of the MC support and may comprise a noble gas such as argon, helium, or an inert gas such as nitrogen or mixtures thereof, and hydrogen, which is preferably used in a volume ratio of 1 to 10 % hydrogen of the gas atmosphere. By means of the hydrogen content, the reduction of metal ions to metal particles can be supported. In the additional step, the obtained mesoporous carbon structure is treated in a gas atmosphere with an oxygen content under conditions which are not oxidizing the MC support, preferably in a temperature range from 20 °C to 200 °C, more preferred at a temperature between 20 °C and 100 °C whereby a mesoporous carbon network structure loaded with catalytically active metal and/or metal oxide nanoparticles is obtained. In more detail, the treatment may be carried out in an atmosphere comprising protective gas and oxygen at temperature ranging from 20 °C to 200 °C for 5 min to 12 h, wherein the protective gas comprises nitrogen, helium, argon, or any mixture thereof and wherein the volume percentage of oxygen is about 0.1 to 10.

The present invention also refers to the mesoporous carbon loaded with metal oxide nanoparticles, obtainable according to the process of the present invention, in particular to the mesoporous carbon loaded with metal oxide nanoparticles, wherein the metal oxide nanoparticles have a particle size' in the range of 1 to 10 nm, preferably 2 to 6 nm, in particular 2.5 to 4.5 nm, for Co ₃ O ₄ in particular from 2 to 5 nm, preferred 2 to 4 nm and most preferred from 2.5 to 3.5 nm, all measured from the TEM images and also calculated from the XRD data.

Thus, compared to the state of art, the surface area, pore volume, pore size and the size of Co particles are superior. For the material of the reference ChemElectroChem 2015, pages 2079-2088, for example, the surface area is <500 m ² /g, the Co oxide size is ranging from 5 to 40 nm, and pore size is ranging from 2 to 4 nm. For the material of the present invention, the surface area is ranging from 500 to 1000 m ² /g (BET), the pore size is centered at 6 to 15 nm, and the Co ₃ O ₄ diameter is 2 to 5 nm. The diameters of the metal oxide particles were measured from the TEM image and correspond to the ones which are calculated based on XRD data.

Thus, the present invention refers to a mesoporous carbon structure/particles loaded with metal nanoparticles and/or metal oxide nanoparticles, obtainable according to the inventive processes, wherein the specific surface area is 500 m ² /g to 1000 m ² /g, the mesopore size is centered at 6 to 15 nm, preferably 9 to 12 nm according to the nitrogen sorption measurement, the metal loading amount is ranging from 0.1 to 30 wt% referred to the total weight of the loaded MC support; and the particle size (diameter of the metal particles) is ranging from 1 to 10 nm.

Said mesoporous carbon supported Co ₃ O ₄ nanoparticles can be preferably used as a catalyst, in particular as a catalytically active material in a process for transfer hydrogenation of a, β-un saturated aldehydes in the presence of the inventive catalyst and a H-donor, for example a secondary alcohol such as iso-propanol, to unsaturated alcohols as represented in the following scheme:

R ¹ -CR ² =CR ³ -CH=O → R ¹ -CR ² =CR ³ -CH ₂ -OH, wherein R ¹ to R ³ may be the same or different and may be selected each from Ci to C20 straight chain, branched chain or cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons, optionally having one or more heteroatoms such as O, N, or S, in the chain or ring or unsaturated bonds such as CrC2o-alkyl, C2-C2o-alkenyl or C2-C2o-alkinyl, C3-C8- heterocycloalkyl or C ₆ to C ₂ o aromatic hydrocarbon and partially arene- hydrogenated forms such as aryl, aryl-(Ci-C6)-alkyl, heteroaryl-(Ci-C6)-alkyl, each hydrocarbon optionally being substituted by one or more groups selected from Ci to C20 straight chain, branched chain or cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons, optionally having one or more unsaturated bonds such as Ci-C ₂ o-alkyl, C ₂ -C ₂ o-alkenyl or C ₂ - C2o-alkinyl, or C6 to C20 aromatic hydrocarbon and partially arene-hydrogenated forms such as aryl, aryl-(Ci-C6)-alkyl, heteroaryl-(Ci-Ce)-alkyl or heterosubstituents, or wherein one of R ¹ or R ² may form a ring with R ³ , optionally having one or more heteroatoms in the ring, and the other of R ¹ or R ² is as defined before.

The invention is further illustrated by the attached drawings. In said drawings, Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the inventive process;

Figure 2 shows a,b) TEM images (inset in Figure b shows the Co3O ₄ particle size distribution), c) SEM image, d-f) STEM, g) XRD pattern, h) XPS spectrum, and i) N ₂ sorption isotherm of Co ₃ O /MC (inset in Figure i shows the pore size distribution);

Figure 3 shows the structural characterization of mesoporous carbon pyrolysis at 800 °C: a, b) TEM images, and c, d) N ₂ isotherm and pore size distribution;

Figure 4 shows TEM images and XRD patterns of Co3O ₄ materials: a, b) Co3O ₄ - nanocasting, c, d) Co ₃ O ₄ -6 nm, and e, f) Co ₃ O ₄ -17 nm;

Figure 5 shows a) catalytic performances for the transfer hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde and citral over Co3O ₄ MC, b) the recycling results for transfer hydrogenation of FAL over Co3O ₄ MC.

Figure 6 shows a,b) TEM images of Co ₃ O /MC after 6 runs, c) XRD patterns and d) N ₂ isotherms of Co3O ₄ MC before and after 6 runs.

Experimental Section Synthesis of C03O supported on mesoporous carbon (C03Q4/MC):

In a typical synthesis, 3.08 g of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 0.6 g of ethylenediamine, 0.934 g of hexamethylentetramine (HMT) and 3.5 g of Pluronic P123 were dissolved in 80 ml_ of H ₂ O. The solution was transferred into a teflon- lined stainless steel autoclave of 120 ml_ capacity, sealed and heated up to 130 °C and kept at that temperature for 4 h. Afterwards, the autoclave was allowed to cool down to room temperature. The polymer gel product was mashed and washed three times with deionized water. After dring at 50 °C over night, -5.77 g of polymer product was obtained. The polymer product was re-dispersed in 120 ml_ of solution (96 ml_ of H ₂ O and 24 ml_ of ammonium hydroxide solution (28.0- 30.0%)) containing 4.62 mmol (1 .345 g) of Co(NO ₃ ) ₂ -6H ₂ O, stirred at 50 °C for 6 h. Then, the product was collected by filtration, washed three times with deionized water and dried at 50 °C under vacuum for 8 h. Finally, ~1 .64 g of Co3O ₄ MC was obtained by pyrolysis under H ₂ /Ar (5%/95%) atmosphere. The pyrolysis procedure used here was as follows: the sample was heated to 400 °C with a rate of 2 °C min ^"1 and kept at that temperature for 3 h, then heated to 500 °C with a rate of 1 °C min ^"1 and kept at that temperature for 2 h. Afterwards, the sample was allowed to cool to room temperature and passivate in a flow of 1 % oxygen in argon for 2 h. For synthesis of MC without the metal load, the polymer gel product was directly carbonized by heating up to 800 °C with a heating rate of 2 °C min ^"1 and holding at that temperature for 3 h under argon atmosphere.

Synthesis of Co3O ₄ -nanocastinq, Co O ₄ -6 nm and Co O ₄ -17 nm:

The Co ₃ O -nanocasting was prepared completely according to the method reported in literature. Co3O ₄ -6 nm and Co3O ₄ -17 nm were synthesized via a hydrothermal approach according to literature ¹ For the synthesis of 6 nm Co3O ₄ nanoparticles, 0.5 g of Co(CH ₃ COO)2-4H ₂ O was first dissolved in 25 mL of ethanol. Then 2.5 mL of 25% ammonia was added under vigorous stirring. After 10 min the obtained slurry was transferred to a teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave of 45 mL capacity, sealed and maintained at 150 ^° C for 3 h. Afterwards the resulting black solid was collected by centrifuge, washed intensively with ethanol and water, and finally dried under vacuum at 50 °C for 8 h. For the synthesis of 17 nm Co3O ₄ nanoparticles, the solvent was changed to a mixture of water (10 mL) and ethanol (15 mL). The rest of experimental conditions remained the same.

Transfer hvdroqenation of substrates

For a typical run, 1 mmol of substrates, 10 mL of 2-propanol, 50 mg of Co3O ₄ MC and a magnet bar were placed in a glass vial (20 mL). The vial was flushed with argon and then tightly closed. The experiment was performed at 120 °C under magnetic stirring of 800 rpm in a stainless steel heating block. A small volume of sample (-0.1 mL) was periodically withdrawn and analyzed by GC-MS. 1 ,6- hexandiol was chosen as internal standard for FAL and HMF system, while n- decane was used as internal standard for cinnamaldehyde and citral. When increasing reaction temperature to 140 °C and 160 °C, the experiments were carried out in a stainless steel autoclave reactor with volume of 20 mL. The rest of experimental conditions remained the same. Characterizations

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were carried out with Hitachi HF-2000 and Hitachi S-5500 microscopes, respectively. All samples were prepared by dipping carbon-coated copper grids into the ethanol solutions with the solid products and drying them at room temperature.

Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed on a Stoe STADI P diffractometer operating in reflection mode with Cu Ka radiation using a secondary graphite monochromator.

Nitrogen sorption isotherms were measured with a Micromeritics ASAP 2010 adsorption analyzer at 77 K. Prior to the measurements, the sample was degassed at a temperature of 250 °C for 6 h.

The specific surface areas were calculated from the adsorption data in the relative pressure range of 0.05 to 0.3 using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. Pore size distributions were determined with the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) method from the adsorption branch (desorption data which are normally recommended, can be influenced by network percolation or cavitation effects). The total pore volume was estimated from the amount adsorbed at a relative pressure of 0.97.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were carried out with a Kratos HSi spectrometer with a hemispherical analyzer. The monochromatized Al Ka X-ray source (E=1486.6 eV) was operated at 15 kV and 15 mA. An analyzer pass energy of 40 eV was applied for the narrow scans. Hybrid mode was used as lens mode. The base pressure during the experiment in the analysis chamber was 4x10 ^"7 Pa. To account for charging effects of carbonized samples, the binding energy values were referred to C 1 s at 284.5 eV.

Elemental analysis was carried out at Mikrolab Kolbe (Hohenweg 17, D-45470, Mulheim an der Ruhr) by AAnalyst 200 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).

Table S1. Selective hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes ¹ '

Rate

Entry

148.2 (63%,

140 3 100 97

0.5h)

401.4 (57%,

160 1 100 98

0.167h)

2.29 Co ₃ 0 ₄ -6nm 24 46 97

(22%, 4h) 0.26

Co ₃ 0 ₄ -17nm 120 24 15 99 (15%,

24h)

57.5

140 12 100 98

(63%, 1 h)

133.3

160 6 100 99 (73%,

0.5h)

0.65

1 1 Co ₃ 0 ₄ -6nm 120 48 37 99 (19%,

12h)

0.10

12 Co ₃ 0 ₄ -17nm 120 48 1 1 99 (1 1 %,

48h)

[a] Reaction conditions: 1 mmol substrate, 10 imL 2-propanol, 50 mg Co ₃ 0 ₄ /MC (25 mg for Co ₃ 0 ₄ - nanocasting, Co ₃ 0 ₄ -6 nm and Co ₃ 0 ₄ -17 nm). All results were obtained from GC testing.

[b] The numbers in parentheses are the conversion and the reaction time for reaction rate estimation.

[c] Scale-up reaction: 1.16 g furfural, 100 mL 2-propanol, 500 mg Co ₃ 0 ₄ /MC.

As shown above, the inventors have developed a simple and scalable method, including steps of hydrothermal process, ion-exchanging and reducing/mild oxidizing, to synthesize metal oxide nanoparticles such as Co3O ₄ nanoparticles supported in the framework of the mesoporous carbon network. Benefiting from the ion-exchange process, where Co ²⁺ ions can be introduced into the polymer framework homogenously, the Co3O ₄ nanoparticles with a diameter of ~3 nm were finely dispersed in the framework of MC after reduction and mild oxidation processes. The as-obtained Co3O ₄ MC is more efficient than Co3O ₄ -nanocasting, Co ₃ O -6 nm and Co ₃ O -17 nm (Figure 4) as catalyst for the transfer hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes (Table 1 , Figure 5a). The selectivities towards unsaturated alcohols over Co3O ₄ MC are always higher than 97% at full conversion. Furthermore, the catalyst after reaction was filtrated and washed with 2-propanol, followed by drying and treating under H ₂ /Ar at 300 °C for 2 h to remove residues from the surface of the used Co3O ₄ MC. In this way, the Co3O ₄ MC catalyst was recycled at least six times without loss of activity, indicating a high stability of Co3O ₄ MC under the reaction conditions (Figure 5b, 6). The gram-scale preparation of furfural alcohol over Co3O ₄ MC indicates that such catalytic system is scalable without pressure issue (Table 1 , entry 13). The as- obtained furfuryl alcohol can be used as polymer precursor directly without further purification to synthesize ordered mesoporous carbon (CMK-5). Therefore, the present catalytic system for transfer hydrogenation of α,β- unsaturated aldehydes over Co ₃ O /MC has the potential to be utilized in industry. In addition, the synthesis methodology of Co3O ₄ MC, which is also easy to scale up, may be further extended to design other metal or metal oxide catalysts supported on MC.