Metallic Co-MoO3 catalysts supported on ordered mesoporous SBA-15 were first prepared through in situ reaction of SBA-15-supported Co-Mo oxides with 1,10-phenanthroline. The resulting Co-MoO3/NC@SBA-15 catalysts with N-doped carbon (NC) exhibited high catalytic activity and chemoselectivity for selective reduction of various functionalized nitroarenes to the corresponding arylamines in ethanol with hydrazine hydrate at near room temperature (30 degrees C). For reduction of all tested substrates (28 examples), the catalyst could afford a conversion of > 99% and arylamine selectivity of > 99%. The excellent catalytic performance of the Co-MoO3/NC@SBA-15 was attributed to the Co-N-x(C)-Mo active sites generated through the interaction between the surface Co-N-x(C) and MoO3 species, promoting the dissociation of hydrazine molecule into the active H* species for the reduction of nitro groups. After the seventh cycle for reduction of 4-methoxylnitrobenzene, the 2%Co-MoO3/NC@SBA-15 showed little change in catalytic performance, textural properties, size and dispersion of metal species and valence states of elements, indicating high stability and recyclability.