The synthesis, characterization, and application of nitrogen-doped carbon supported Co catalysts in selective hydrogenation of nitroarenes are described. The cobalt-based catalysts are prepared by simple pyrolysis of ZIF-67, a typical MOF material, under inert atmosphere. Physicochemical properties of the Co/C-N catalysts have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Co-based materials were found to be highly efficient in the chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroarenes. A broad range of substituted nitroarenes are converted to the corresponding anilines in excellent yields under industrially viable conditions with other reducing groups remaining intact. In situ ATR-IR and XPS characterizations reveal that the Co-N centers present in the catalyst favor the preferential adsorption of nitro groups, leading to this unique chemoselectivity. The kinetic parameters of 4-nitrostyrene hydrogenation over the Co/C-N catalyst were investigated. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.