Pincer-based cobalt catalysts for hydrogenation reaction and its process of preparation thereof

A pincer-based cobalt catalyst for hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes, the pincer-based cobalt catalyst having formula (I):

• where:
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C5 alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, trifluoromethyl, halogen, amino, and alkylamino;
• R2 and R3 are either both hydrogen or together form a cyclic arene;
• R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C6 alkyl;
• R5 is selected from —CH2 or —C(O);
• R6 and R7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl and aryl;
• R8 is selected from hydrogen and cyclic arene;
• X1 and X2 are selected from the group consisting of —Cl, —Br, —I, —OTf, and —OC(O)CH3;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• and
• when a Co—N bond is present, a N—R8 bond is absent.