Facile synthesis of quinoxaline catalyzed by iron-based carbon material in water

Herein, we report a low-metal iron-supported (0.06 wt%) catalyst (Fe20/NC-Mg), in which the FeN x site and Mg(OH) 2 nanorods are synergistic to achieve the efficient synthesis of quinoxaline (16 examples, 82–91 % yield) with water as a solvent and without additional bases. Moreover, the industrial application potential of Fe20/NC-Mg is demonstrated by gram-level synthesis and reusability of catalysts after four cycles. This protocol has high atomic and step economy, which meets with the requirement of green synthesis.