Fe—N—C catalyst, method of preparation and uses thereof

A method for the preparation of a Fe(II)-doped Zn-ZIF material comprising the steps of:

• (i) providing an imidazole or imidazole derivative precursor;
• (ii) dissolving the said imidazole or imidazole derivative precursor in degassed non-aqueous polar solvent, in a reductive environment to prevent the oxidation of Fe2+ cations to obtain a solution A;
• (iii) dissolving an iron (II) precursor and a Zn salt in degassed non-aqueous polar solvent to obtain a solution B;
• (iv) adding solution B into solution A;
• (v) collecting and washing the precipitate;
• and
• (vi) leaving the washed precipitate drying at room temperature to obtain a unsupported Fe(II)-doped Zn-zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) in the form of a dry powder, wherein steps (ii) and (iv) are conducted under stirring and step (iv) is conducted in an inert atmosphere, wherein the reductive environment is achieved by the introduction of at least one reductive agent being an iodide derivative, and wherein the obtained Fe(II)-doped Zn-ZIF material is essentially free from Fe(III).