Catalytic hydrogenation and oxidative dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles to produce tetrahydroquinoline and quinoline derivatives are important reactions of particular importance in the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. Herein, we report earth-abundant cobalt nanoparticles supported on hydroxyapatite (HAP) as an inexpensive and efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation and reverse oxidative dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles. The optimal nanocatalyst exhibits excellent activity in both reactions for a wide range of substrates including (iso)quinolines, acridine, benzo[h]quinoline, quinoxaline and indole. Reactions proceed under relatively mild conditions without requiring any additives.|Non-noble catalyst for hydrogenation and oxidative dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles process: Pyrolysis of Co-PZ-TPA supported on hydroxyapatite resulting in an active and reusable core-shell nanocatalyst with high activity in hydrogenation and its reversible oxidative dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles.image