An unconventional direct path for the chemoselective hydrogenation of nitroarenes over a metal-free catalyst

•Porous PNC catalysts were prepared via the pyrolysis of a N-containing precursor.•The catalyst exhibited an exceptional performance in the hydrogenation of nitroarenes with N2H4·H2O.•Graphitic N species were the main catalytic active sites in efficient hydrogenation.•The reaction path followed a special direct path without the formation of nitrosobenzene as an intermediate.