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

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