Abstract
Graphene is a π-electron rich material capable of interacting with organic
molecules. Its derivative graphene oxide (or reduced graphene oxide) offers a large
surface area, many hydroxyl, carboxyl and epoxy groups which can accommodate
organic molecules that act as active catalytic sites. The graphene oxide supported
organocatalysts have boosted significantly the organocatalytic reactions increasing
more than ninety percent the catalytic activity and selectivity of specific reactions to
important industrial products. The graphene-based heterogeneous organocatalysts are
stable, recyclable and of lower cost. The functionalization of graphene oxide with
acids, the synthesis of bifunctional acid-base graphene-based catalysts and the doping
of graphene with non-metal elements, are the main strategies that are followed for the
synthesis of GO-based heterogeneous organocatalysts.
Keywords: Acid-base graphene oxide, Amines functionalization, Asymmetric catalysis, Bifunctional catalyst, Chiral catalysts, Co-doping graphene, Electroorganic synthesis, Electro-organic transformation, Functionalization, Grafting graphene-based materials, Graphene, Graphene oxide structure, Graphene oxide, Heterogeneous catalysis, Immobilization, Magnetic nanoparticles, Organiccatalysis, Organic molecule, Recyclable graphene catalyst, Reduced graphene oxide.