Chemoselective transfer hydrogenation of aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes by green chemically prepared cobalt oxide nanoparticles

[Display omitted] •Non noble cobalt oxide (Co3O4) Nps is synthesized with controlled size by quercetin mediated hydrothermal method.•The material is applied as heterogeneous catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of therapeutically important aldehydes.•Quick formation of product was observed with excellent yields.•The catalyst is recyclable, reusable and environmental friendly. A new surfactant (quercetin) assisted hydrothermal method is used for the preparation of phase pure cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles (Nps). The quercetin acted well as surfactant in producing size controlled Nps. The produced Nps were extensively characterized by various techniques to reveal its chemical composition, structure, morphology, size and thermal behavior. The main objective of the study is to employ the prepared material as heterogeneous catalyst for hydrogenation of therapeutically important aldehydes. The capability of the catalyst is appear to be good, since the yield of alcohols from structurally different aldehydes is adequate with short period of time. Also the catalyst is recyclable, stable, no need of addition of ligands for activation and environmentally benign.