Decarboxylation Research Articles

Importance and Green Synthesis of Amines: A Review

Abstract: Amines are “derivatives of ammonia” and important key intermediates for applications in the industrial, pharmaceutical, electronics, etc. They have been used to synthesize industrially important azo dyes, which are used to color various materials. Moreover, amine functionality is present in several important biological molecules. Biogenic amines are found in living organisms and play essential physiological functions in the body. They are prepared from the amination and transamination reaction of carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes and ketones and the decarboxylation reaction of amino acids. Thus, the various applications and requirements of essential amine scaffolds paid attention to researchers to develop novel synthetic protocols to synthesize these compounds. In organic chemistry, various methods synthesize amines; however, green synthetic methods have recently become a trend. By writing this review, our main focus was to provide a brief on the importance of some biogenic amines and the synthesis of both amines via green synthetic methods.

Novel High-Performance Glyoxylate Derivative-Based Photoinitiators for Free Radical Photopolymerization and 3D Printing with Visible LED.

Investigations concerning the glyoxylate moiety as a photocleavable functional group for visible light photoinitiators, particularly in the initiation of free radical photopolymerization remain limited. This study introduces nine innovative carbazole-based ethyl glyoxylate derivatives (CEGs), which are synthesized and found to exhibit excellent photoinitiation abilities as monocomponent photoinitiating systems. Notably, these structures demonstrate robust absorption in the near-UV/visible range, surpassing the commercial photoinitiators. Moreover, the newly developed glyoxylate derivatives show higher acrylate function conversions compared to a benchmark photoinitiator (MBF) in free radical photopolymerization. Elucidation of the photoinitiation mechanism of CEGs is achieved through a comprehensive analysis involving the decarboxylation reaction and electron spin resonance spin trapping. Furthermore, their practical utility is confirmed during direct laser writing and 3D printing processes, enabling the successful fabrication of 3D printed objects. This study introduces pioneering concepts and effective strategies in the molecular design of novel photoinitiators, showcasing their potential for highly advantageous applications in 3D printing.

Synthesis of Polysubstituted Naphthalenes by a Hydride Shift Mediated C-H Bond Functionalization/Aromatization Sequence.

A synthetic strategy for forming multisubstituted naphthalenes based on hydride shift mediated C(sp3)-H bond functionalization was developed. This strategy consists of three successive transformations: (1) an intramolecular hydride shift mediated C(sp3)-H bond functionalization; (2) a decarboxylative fragmentation; and (3) an oxidation reaction. When benzylidene malonates having a 2-alkoxyethyl group at the ortho position were treated with a catalytic amount of Al(OTf)3, the hydride shift/cyclization reaction proceeded smoothly to afford tetralin derivatives in good chemical yields. The resulting tetralins were easily converted into naphthalenes by exposing them to modified Krapcho decarboxylation reaction conditions (LiCl, DMSO, and heating under an O2 atmosphere). The one-pot operation of these two reactions was also realized.

Enantioselective Cross-[4 + 2]-Cycloaddition/Decarboxylation of 2-Pyrones by Cooperative Catalysis of the Pd(0)/NHC Complex and Chiral Phosphoric Acid.

Here, we describe a cooperative Pd(0)/chiral phosphoric acid catalytic system that allows us to realize the first chemo-, regio-, and enantioselective sequential cross-[4 + 2]-cycloaddition/decarboxylation reaction between 2-pyrones and unactivated acyclic 1,3-dienes. The key to the success of this transformation is the utilization of an achiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) as the ligand and a newly developed chiral phosphoric acid as the cocatalyst. Experimental investigations and computational studies support the idea that the Pd(0)/NHC complex acts as a π-Lewis base to increase the nucleophilicity of 1,3-dienes via η2 coordination, while the chiral phosphoric acid simultaneously increases the electrophilicity of 2-pyrones by hydrogen bonding. By this synergistic catalysis, the sequential cross-[4 + 2]-cycloaddition and decarboxylation reaction proceeds efficiently, enabling the preparation of a wide range of chiral vinyl-substituted 1,3-cyclohexadienes in good yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility of this reaction is demonstrated by synthetic transformations of the product to various valuable chiral six-membered carbocycles.

A strategy for industrial waste mitigation—thermal treatment of non-woven polyester fabric debris on ultrahigh-porosity MgO under CO2 atmosphere

Unproperly treated industrial waste creates serious environmental pollution that requires immediate remediation strategies. Non-woven polyester fabrics are widely used in a variety of industrial applications; thus, their debris becomes a major portion of industrial waste. To contribute to advanced industrial waste treatment processes, this study investigated catalytic thermal treatment of non-woven polyester fabric debris on a novel ultrahigh-porosity MgO material under a CO2 environment. The ultrahigh-porosity MgO was synthesized from hydromagnesite via a series of thermal reactions, having a surface area of 208.8 m2 g−1, total pore volume of 0.34 cm3 g−1, and average pore diameter of 2.37 nm. Using the MgO as the catalyst for thermolysis of non-woven polyester fabric debris in CO2 promoted thermal cracking of volatilized species evolved from the non-woven polyester fabric debris thermolysis, thereby increasing the gas product yield and decreasing the liquid product and wax yields. In addition, dehydrogenation and reverse water gas reaction was promoted by the MgO catalyst, leading to more than higher syngas production (up to 16.1 wt% syngas yield) compared to non-catalytic thermolysis (up to 8 wt% syngas yield). The selectivity toward esters was increased, while the selectivities toward benzoic and phthalic acids were decreased, most likely due to the MgO promoting decarboxylation and esterification reactions during the thermolysis. Moreover, the ultrahigh-porosity MgO catalyst was reusable for at least two consecutive cycles. It is hoped that the applicability of the novel material as a catalyst is widened for advanced treatment processes to minimize negative effects of industrial wastes on the environment.

Construction of a Zero-gap Flow-Through Microfluidic Reactor with Porous RuO2-IrO2@Pt Anode for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Antibiotics in Water.

In this study, a zero-gap flow-through microfluidic reactor was constructed for the degradation of tetracycline and norfloxacin in water using a porous Ti/RuO2-IrO2@Pt electrode as the anode and porous titanium plate as the cathode. The operation parameters included electrolyte type, electrolyte concentration, current density, initial concentration of pollutants and pH, were investigated. The degradation efficiency and energy consumption were calculated and compared with traditional electrolyzer. In the zero-gap flow-through microfluidic reactor, 100 % of both tetracycline and norfloxacin can be decomposed in 15 min, and high mineralization rate were achieved under the optimized reaction condition. And the reaction was consistent with pseudo-first-order kinetics with k value of 0.492 cm-1 and 1.010 cm-1, for tetracycline and norfloxacin, respectively. In addition, the energy consumption was 28.33 kWh ⋅ kg-1 TC and 8.36 kWh ⋅ kg-1 NOR, for tetracycline and norfloxacin, respectively, which was much lower than that of traditional electrolyzer. The LC-MS results showed that tetracycline underwent a series of demethylation, dehydration and deamination reactions, and the norfloxacin went through ring opening reaction, decarboxylation and hydroxylation reaction, and finally both produced CO2 and H2O.

Mechanisms for radical reactions initiating from N-hydroxyphthalimide esters.

Due to their ease of preparation, stability, and diverse reactivity, N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters have found many applications as radical precursors. Mechanistically, NHPI esters undergo a reductive decarboxylative fragmentation to provide a substrate radical capable of engaging in diverse transformations. Their reduction via single-electron transfer (SET) can occur under thermal, photochemical, or electrochemical conditions and can be influenced by a number of factors, including the nature of the electron donor, the use of Brønsted and Lewis acids, and the possibility of forming charge-transfer complexes. Such versatility creates many opportunities to influence the reaction conditions, providing a number of parameters with which to control reactivity. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the different mechanisms for radical reactions involving NHPI esters, with an emphasis on recent applications in radical additions, cyclizations and decarboxylative cross-coupling reactions. Within these reaction classes, we discuss the utility of the NHPI esters, with an eye towards their continued development in complexity-generating transformations.

Palladium-Catalyzed (3 + 2) Annulation of Aromatic Acids by C(sp3)-H Olefination and Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling Reaction.

A palladium-catalyzed (3 + 2) annulation of 2-methylbenzoic acid with maleimide using Ac-Leu-OH as a powerful ligand has been reported. Through a site-selective γ-C(sp3)-H olefination reaction and a sequential decarboxylative cross-coupling reaction, a five-membered cyclic ring was obtained as the final product. This novel reaction features great site selectivity and reactivity to generate various cyclic products in moderate to good yields.

Green synthesis of Co-Ce ZIF derivatives for enhanced O3/PMS degradation of levofloxacin

Antibiotics that permeate aquatic environments present significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. In this study, we employed the techniques of room temperature aqueous solution precipitation to fabricate ZIF-67 derivatives, and established a Co3O4/CeO2/O3/PMS (Co-Ce/OP) system. Furthermore, a 10 mg/L Levofloxacin (LEF) solution could reach rapid degradation (97.2%) and effective mineralization (40.4%) under specific conditions. Subsequent investigations identified the primary active substances, intermediates, and reaction mechanism in the Co-Ce/OP system. Evidence from Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and quenching experiments indicates that SO4·-, OH·, O2·- and 1O2 contribute to the degradation process. Applying High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS), we discovered that the principal degradation mechanisms for LEF encompass the cleavage and subsequent loss of the piperazine, quinolone, and morpholine rings, in addition to decarboxylation and defluorination reactions. Besides, we studied the acute toxicity, bioconcentration factor, developmental toxicity, and mutagenicity of LEF and its intermediate products. Our findings reveal a notable reduction in the toxicity of the intermediate products relative to LEF. Later experiment demonstrates that the degradation rate of LEF sustains above 90% after five cycles of reactions, indicative that the catalyst has excellent recyclability and stability. Furthermore, this study employed experiments across four different natural water matrices, demonstrating the system's considerable potential for effective application within authentic aquatic settings.

Model-guided metabolic rewiring to bypass pyruvate oxidation for pyruvate derivative synthesis by minimizing carbon loss.

Engineering microbial hosts to synthesize pyruvate derivatives depends on blocking pyruvate oxidation, thereby causing severe growth defects in aerobic glucose-based bioprocesses. To decouple pyruvate metabolism from cell growth to improve pyruvate availability, a genome-scale metabolic model combined with constraint-based flux balance analysis, geometric flux balance analysis, and flux variable analysis was used to identify genetic targets for strain design. Using translation elements from a ~3,000 cistronic library to modulate fxpK expression in a bicistronic cassette, a bifido shunt pathway was introduced to generate three molecules of non-pyruvate-derived acetyl-CoA from one molecule of glucose, bypassing pyruvate oxidation and carbon dioxide generation. The dynamic control of flux distribution by T7 RNAP-mediated synthetic small RNA decoupled pyruvate catabolism from cell growth. Adaptive laboratory evolution and multi-omics analysis revealed that a mutated isocitrate dehydrogenase functioned as a metabolic switch to activate the glyoxylate shunt as the only C4 anaplerotic pathway to generate malate from two molecules of acetyl-CoA input and bypass two decarboxylation reactions in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. A chassis strain for pyruvate derivative synthesis was constructed to reduce carbon loss by using the glyoxylate shunt as the only C4 anaplerotic pathway and the bifido shunt as a non-pyruvate-derived acetyl-CoA synthetic pathway and produced 22.46, 27.62, and 6.28 g/L of l-leucine, l-alanine, and l-valine by a controlled small RNA switch, respectively. Our study establishes a novel metabolic pattern of glucose-grown bacteria to minimize carbon loss under aerobic conditions and provides valuable insights into cell design for manufacturing pyruvate-derived products.IMPORTANCEBio-manufacturing from biomass-derived carbon sources using microbes as a cell factory provides an eco-friendly alternative to petrochemical-based processes. Pyruvate serves as a crucial building block for the biosynthesis of industrial chemicals; however, it is different to improve pyruvate availability in vivo due to the coupling of pyruvate-derived acetyl-CoA with microbial growth and energy metabolism via the oxidative tricarboxylic acid cycle. A genome-scale metabolic model combined with three algorithm analyses was used for strain design. Carbon metabolism was reprogrammed using two genetic control tools to fine-tune gene expression. Adaptive laboratory evolution and multi-omics analysis screened the growth-related regulatory targets beyond rational design. A novel metabolic pattern of glucose-grown bacteria is established to maintain growth fitness and minimize carbon loss under aerobic conditions for the synthesis of pyruvate-derived products. This study provides valuable insights into the design of a microbial cell factory for synthetic biology to produce industrial bio-products of interest.

Basella alba L. (Malabar Spinach) as an Abundant Source of Betacyanins: Identification, Stability, and Bioactivity Studies on Natural and Processed Fruit Pigments.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of acylated and decarboxylated gomphrenins, as well as Basella alba L. fruit extract, were investigated in relation to gomphrenin, known for its high biological potential. The most abundant natural acylated gomphrenins, namely, 6'-O-E-caffeoyl-gomphrenin (malabarin) and 6'-O-E-4-coumaroyl-gomphrenin (globosin), were isolated from B. alba extract for the studies. In addition, controlled thermal decarboxylation of gomphrenin in the purified B. alba extract at 65-75 °C resulted in the formation of the most prevalent decarboxylated products, including 17-decarboxy-gomphrenin and 2,17-bidecarboxy-gomphrenin, along with their isoforms. The structures of the decarboxylated pigments were confirmed by NMR analyses. Exploring the matrix effect on pigment reactivity revealed a tremendous increase in the stability of all betacyanins after the initial stage of extract purification using a cation exchanger under various conditions. This indicates the removal of a substantial portion of the unfavorable matrix from the extract, which presumably contains reactive species that could otherwise degrade the pigments. Furthermore, the high concentration of citrates played a significant role in favoring the formation of 2-decarboxy-gomphrenin to a considerable extent. In vitro screening experiments revealed that the tested compounds demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated human macrophages. This effect encompassed the selective inhibition of cytokine and chemokine release from activated macrophages, modulation of the chemotactic activity of immune cells, and the regulation of tissue remodeling mediators' release.

Radical-Mediated Decarboxylative C-C and C-S Couplings of Carboxylic Acids via Iron Photocatalysis.

Despite the significant success of decarboxylative radical reactions, the catalytic systems vary considerably upon different radical acceptors, requiring renewed case-by-case reaction optimization. Herein, we developed an iron catalytic condition that enables the highly efficient decarboxylation of various carboxylic acids for a range of radical transformations. This operationally simple protocol was amenable to a wide array of radical acceptors, delivering structurally diverse oxime ethers, alkenylation, alkynylation, thiolation, and amidation products in useful to excellent yields (>40 examples, up to 95% yield).

Fast pyrolysis of Enteromorpha prolifera model compounds for syngas: A simulated and experimental study

The large-scale blooming of Enteromorpha prolifera (EP) results in "green tide," triggering significant environmental issues. However, EP as algal biomass can be converted to syngas through fast pyrolysis. This research investigates the fast pyrolysis of modeled compounds of EP for syngas production. Rhamnose (Rha), glucuronic acid (GlcA), aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), and alanine (Ala) are used as the model compounds. This study employs experiments and simulations on fast pyrolysis processes. The results reveal that polysaccharide sulfate (PS) undergoes various reactions, including glycosidic bond cleavage, pyran ring opening, dehydration, and C-C bond cleavage. Simultaneously, amino acids experience dehydration, deamination, decarboxylation, and decarboxylation reactions. Fast co-pyrolysis of modeled compounds of EP, the monosaccharides and uronic acid molecules produced by PS pyrolysis also attack each other with amino acid molecules to produce other substances. The pyrolysis gas obtained from the model compounds of PS exhibits the highest CO content. Notably, amino acids possess a superior capability to produce H2 compared with PS. With the fast co-pyrolysis of EP model compounds, the CO2 content increases while the CO content decreases. This study provides a theoretical basis for the fast pyrolysis of EP to produce syngas.

Tracking of the conversion and transformation pathways of dissolved organic matter in sludge hydrothermal liquids during Cr(VI) reduction using FT-ICR MS

In this study, the remediation effects of two types of sludge (ferric-based flocculant and non-ferric-based flocculant) on Cr(VI)-polluted wastewater were evaluated to clarify the key components in sludge hydrothermal solutions responsible for reducing Cr(VI) and understand the underlying molecular-level transformation mechanisms. The results revealed that the primary reactions during the hydrothermal processes were deamination and decarboxylation reactions. Correlation analysis highlighted proteins, reducing sugars, amino groups, and phenolic hydroxyl groups as the major contributors. In-depth analysis of the transformation process of functional groups within dissolved organic matter (DOM) and synergistic redox process between Cr(VI) and DOM in hydrothermal solutions demonstrated that phenolic hydroxyl and amino groups gradually underwent oxidation during reduction of Cr(VI) by DOM, forming aldehyde and carboxyl groups, among the others. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations revealed notable shift of reducing functional groups from ground state to excited state following iron complexation, ultimately facilitating reduction reaction. Subsequent investigations, including soil column leaching and seed germination rate tests, indicated that synergistic redox interaction between Cr(VI) and DOM significantly reduced waterborne heavy metal and toxic organic pollution. These findings carry substantial implications for sludge treatment and remediation of heavy metal pollution in wastewater, offering valuable insights into effective environmental remediation strategies.

Cloning, characterization and specificity of a new aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylases from Bufo bufo gargarizans

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its derivative bufotenine, which possess important physiological functions, are the primary active components in the secretions of toad parotid and skin gland. However, the biosynthetic pathway of these substances remains unclear in toads. To characterize toad's Aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (AADC), the key enzyme in the predicted 5-HT derivatives biosynthetic pathway, the full-length cDNA of AADC from Bufo bufo gargarizans (BbgAADC) was cloned from the parotoid gland of B. bufo gargarizans. The recombinant BbgAADC exhibited optimal expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3) containing pCold-BbgAADC after induction for 16 h at 15 °C with 0.3 mM IPTG, resulting in substantial yields of soluble proteins. The enzymological properties of BbgAADC were assessed, and it was determined that the optimal reaction temperature was 37 °C, the optimal pH was 8.6, and the optimum molar ratio of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) to BbgAADC was found to be 3.6:1. Additionally, high substrate specificity was observed, as BbgAADC could catalyze the production of 5-HT from 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) but not dopamine or tryptamine from levodopa or tryptophan, respectively. The Km of the recombinant protein BbgAADC was 0.2918 mM and the maximum reaction rate (Vmax) was 1.182 μM·min−1 when 5-HTP was used as substrate. The Kcat was 0.0545 min−1, and Kcat/Km was 0.1868 mM−1·min−1. To elucidate the mechanism of BbgAADC, molecular docking was performed with PLP and 5-HTP, or the external aldimine formed by 5-HTP and PLP. The results indicated that the active sites for BbgAADC to bind with PLP were K303, H192, N300, A148, F309, T246, A273, and T147. W71, Y79, F80, P81, T82, H192, T246, N300, H302, F309, and R477 served as catalytically active sites for the binding of BbgAADC to 5-HTP. Furthermore, R447, W71, S149, N300, A148, and T147 of BbgAADC were involved in the decarboxylation reaction of the aldimine formed by PLP and 5-HTP.

Catalyst-free decarboxylative alkylation: access to quaternary center

The formation of C(sp3)−C(sp3) bonds has received continuous attention in organic synthesis, and the focus on versatile alkyl precursors remains constant. In our work, prevalent amines and carboxylic acids successfully serve as alkyl sources to construct C(sp3)−C(sp3) bonds via decarboxylative deamination. The catalyst-free decarboxylative alkylation reaction provides alternative access to the quaternary center. Primary mechanistic experiments suggest that it undergoes a polar mechanism.

Biodegradation of penicillin G sodium by Sphingobacterium sp. SQW1: Performance, degradation mechanism, and key enzymes

Biodegradation is an efficient and cost–effective approach to remove residual penicillin G sodium (PGNa) from the environment. In this study, the effective PGNa–degrading strain SQW1 (Sphingobacterium sp.) was screened from contaminated soil using enrichment technique. The effects of critical operational parameters on PGNa degradation by strain SQW1 were systematically investigated, and these parameters were optimized by response surface methodology to maximize PGNa degradation. Comparative experiments found the extracellular enzyme to completely degrade PGNa within 60 min. Combined with whole genome sequencing of strain SQW1 and LC–MS analysis of degradation products, penicillin acylase and β–lactamase were identified as critical enzymes for PGNa biodegradation. Moreover, three degradation pathways were postulated, including β–lactam hydrolysis, penicillin acylase hydrolysis, decarboxylation, desulfurization, demethylation, oxidative dehydrogenation, hydroxyl reduction, and demethylation reactions. The toxicity of PGNa biodegradation intermediates was assessed using paper diffusion method, ECOSAR, and TEST software, which showed that the biodegradation products had low toxicity. This study is the first to describe PGNa–degrading bacteria and detailed degradation mechanisms, which will provide new insights into the PGNa biodegradation.

Decarboxylative Radical Sulfilimination via Photoredox, Copper, and Brønsted Base Catalysis

AbstractSulfilimines, the aza‐variants of sulfoxides, are key structural motifs in natural products, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals; and sulfilimine synthesis is therefore important in organic chemistry. However, methods for radical sulfilimination remain elusive, and as a result, the structural diversity of currently available sulfilimines is limited. Herein, we report the first protocol for decarboxylative radical sulfilimination reactions between sulfenamides and N‐hydroxyphthalimide esters of primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl carboxylic acids, which were achieved via a combination of photoredox, copper, and Brønsted base catalysis. This novel protocol provided a wide variety of sulfilimines, in addition to serving as an efficient route for the synthesis of S‐alkyl/S‐aryl homocysteine sulfilimines and S‐(4‐methylphenyl) homocysteine sulfoximine. Moreover, it could be used for late‐stage introduction of a sulfilimine group into structurally complex molecules, thereby avoiding the need to preserve labile organosulfur moieties through multistep synthetic sequences. A mechanism involving photocatalytic substrate transformation and copper‐mediated C(sp3)−S bond formation is proposed.

Defluorination of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid by heterogeneous catalytic system of Fe-Al2O3/O3: Synergistic oxidation effects and defluorination mechanism

In this study, catalytic ozonation by Fe-Al2O3 was used to investigate the defluorination of PFOA and PFOS, assessing the effects of different experimental conditions on the defluorination efficiency of the system. The oxidation mechanism of the Fe-Al2O3/O3 system and the specific degradation and defluorination mechanisms for PFOA and PFOS were determined. Results showed that compared to the single O3 system, the defluorination rates of PFOA and PFOS increased by 2.32- and 5.92-fold using the Fe-Al2O3/O3 system under optimal experimental conditions. Mechanistic analysis indicated that in Fe-Al2O3, the variable valence iron (Fe) and functional groups containing C and O served as important reaction sites during the catalytic process. The co-existence of 1O2, OH, O2− and high-valence Fe(IV) constituted a synergistic oxidation system consisting of free radicals and non-radicals, promoting the degradation and defluorination of PFOA and PFOS. DFT theoretical calculations and the analysis of intermediate degradation products suggested that the degradation pathways of PFOA and PFOS involved Kolbe decarboxylation, desulfonation, alcoholization and intramolecular cyclization reactions. The degradation and defluorination pathways of PFOA and PFOS consisted of the stepwise removal of -CF2-, with PFOS exhibiting a higher defluorination rate than PFOA due to its susceptibility to electrophilic attack. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of heterogeneous catalytic ozonation systems for PFOA and PFOS treatment.

Dehydrative decarbonylation of fatty acids into long-chain olefins over CoNx/NC catalysts

The development of highly efficient, low-cost supported catalysts is crucial for directly deoxygenating biomass fatty acids to long-chain olefins. However, additive-free olefin production, by dehydrative decarbonylation from fatty acids, is scarcely conducted owing to competing decarboxylation reactions. Herein, a green and cost-effective strategy is presented to improve the Co-catalyzed dehydrative decarbonylation of stearic acid, which produces a mixture of heptadecenes with yields of up to 41.3 % and a paraffin yield of 14.7 %. Experimental data, along with a detailed catalyst characterization, revealed that the surface CoNx species acted as the dominant active sites. Furthermore, the specific catalytic performance can be attributed to the dense defect sites, abundant vacancies, and mesoporous structures of the N-doped Carbon (NC) support. The as-prepared CoNx/NC catalysts were recovered and reused up to three times without significant deactivation. Additionally, we propose a possible reaction mechanism for fatty acid deoxygenation. This research makes a significant contribution toward advancing the performance of noble-metal-free deoxygenation catalysts for the production of unsaturated compounds in biomass conversions.