Functions of Phytic Acid in Fabricating Metal‐Free Carbocatalyst for Oxidative Coupling of Benzylamines†

Summary of main observation and conclusion Sustainable phytic acid and cellulose are selected as precursors to fabricate P‐doped carbon material (C‐P‐500), which possesses the high surface area and exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability in the oxidative coupling of benzylamines (conversion > 95%, yield > 95%). During the carbonization of cellulose in the muffle furnace, phytic acid can efficiently prevent the cellulose‐derived carbon from combustion and create micro/meso porous structure because of its special function of fire retardation. Control experiments and characterizations demonstrate that P‐containing groups anchoring on C‐P‐500 improve the catalytic performance of carbocatalyst in the oxidation of benzylamines to imines. The excellent catalytic activity of C‐P‐500 should be contributed collectively by carbonyl and P=O(OH)2 groups. Due to the sustainable property of precursors and simple methodology for fabricating P‐doped carbocatalyst, along with the moderate reaction conditions, it is a green catalytic system for the oxidative coupling of benzylamines to imines.