High reactivity of metal-free nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube for the C–H activation

Generally speaking, metal is necessary to serve as the active center in C–H activation. Herein, we found that the N–C part of the metal-free nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube (NCNT) can be used as the active center in methane C–H activation. The NCNT can activate O2 and further activate methane by the adsorbed oxygen atoms. The catalytic ability of this metal-free NCNT is comparable to these reported noble metal catalysts and enzymes. Another character being different from many previous catalysts is that both two O atoms of O2 can be effectively used as oxidant in the catalytic cycle of NCNT.