Carbocatalysis by Graphene-Based Materials

Atomic, electronic and magnetic structure of graphene/iron and nickel interfaces: theory and experiment

Experiments and theory demonstrate the significant influence of a graphene cover to the magnetic properties of an iron substrate and the insignificant role of nickel.

Heteroatom substituted and decorated graphene: preparation and applications

The electronic structure and surface chemistry of graphene can be tuned subtly by doping with heteroatoms, which induces unique applications.

Simple coordination complex-derived three-dimensional mesoporous graphene as an efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst

A 3D mesoporous graphene (mesoG) material was synthesized from a Ni(ii) coordination complex and found to exhibit high bifunctional electrocatalytic activity in oxygen evolution and reduction reactions.

Chemically exfoliated MoS₂ nanosheets as an efficient catalyst for reduction reactions in the aqueous phase

Chemically exfoliated MoS2 (ce-MoS2) nanosheets that incorporate a large fraction of metallic 1T phase have been recently shown to possess a high electrocatalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction, but the potential of this two-dimensional material as a catalyst has otherwise remained mostly uncharted. Here, we demonstrate that ce-MoS2 nanosheets are efficient catalysts for a number of model reduction reactions (namely, those of 4-nitrophenol, 4-nitroaniline, methyl orange, and [Fe(CN)6](3-)) carried out in aqueous medium using NaBH4 as a reductant. The performance of the nanosheets in these reactions is found to be comparable to that of many noble metal-based catalysts. The possible reaction pathways involving ce-MoS2 as a catalyst are also discussed and investigated. Overall, the present results expand the scope of this two-dimensional material as a competitive, inexpensive, and earth-abundant catalyst.

Regio- and enantioselective friedel-crafts reactions of indoles to epoxides catalyzed by graphene oxide: a green approach

Graphene oxide efficiently promotes high regio- and enantioselective ring opening reactions of aromatic epoxides by indoles addition, in solvent- and metal-free conditions. The Friedel-Crafts products were obtained with enantioselectivity up to 99 % ee. The complete inversion of stereochemistry indicates the occurrence of SN 2-type reaction, which assures high level of enantioselectivity.

Graphene-based nanomaterials as heterogeneous acid catalysts: a comprehensive perspective

Acid catalysis is quite prevalent and probably one of the most routine operations in both industrial processes and research laboratories worldwide. Recently, “graphene”, a two dimensional single-layer carbon sheet with hexagonal packed lattice structure, imitative of nanomaterials, has shown great potential as alternative and eco-friendly solid carbocatalyst for a variety of acid-catalyzed reactions. Owing to their exceptional physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, graphene-based nanomaterials (G-NMs) offer highly stable Brønsted acidic sites, high mass transfer, relatively large surface areas, water tolerant character, and convenient recoverability as well as recyclability, whilst retaining high activity in acid-catalyzed chemical reactions. This comprehensive review focuses on the chemistry of G-NMs, including their synthesis, characterization, properties, functionalization, and up-to-date applications in heterogeneous acid catalysis. In line with this, in certain instances readers may find herein some criticisms that should be taken as constructive and would be of value in understanding the scope and limitations of current approaches utilizing graphene and its derivatives for the same.

Metal-free one-pot synthesis of amides using graphene oxide as an efficient catalyst

Graphene oxide was found to be a highly efficient carbocatalyst for one-pot synthesis of amides from aromatic aldehydes and secondary amine.