Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Nitrogen-Doped Carbon: Catalysis beyond Electrochemistry

Metal nanoparticles deposited on N‐doped carbon materials have emerged as novel catalysts for various organic transformations. In this Minireview, strategies for the synthesis of metal composites on N‐doped carbon supports and their state‐of‐the‐art characterization are briefly described. The catalytic application of these fascinating materials in several industrially relevant reactions, including oxidations, hydrogenations, Fischer–Tropsch syntheses, and H2 generation, is also summarized. Furthermore, the effects of nitrogen incorporation on the different catalytic systems are highlighted. Nitrogen makes the difference: In this Minireview, the employment of metal nanoparticles modified by nitrogen‐doped carbon supports as promising catalysts for various transformations, including industrially relevant oxidations, reductions, Fischer–Tropsch syntheses, and H2 generation, is discussed.