The low loading of metal in metal–organic framework-derived NiNx@NC promotes amide formation through C–N coupling.

The pyrolysis of Ni-substituted zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 produces NiNx@NC with an ultra-low loading of Ni (7.4 × 10−6 mol%). The Ni–N coordination, subnanometer particle size, and uniform distribution of NiNx on the NC support lead to excellent catalytic activity (TON = 2702) and selectivity for the amination of aldehydes to produce amides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]