Tuning graphitic oxide for initiator- and metal-free aerobic epoxidation of linear alkenes.
Graphitic oxide has potential as a carbocatalyst for a wide range of reactions. Interest in this material has risen enormously due to it being a precursor to graphene via the chemical oxidation of graphite. Despite some studies suggesting that the chosen method of graphite oxidation can influence the physical properties of the graphitic oxide, the preparation method and extent of oxidation remain unresolved for catalytic applications. Here we show that tuning the graphitic oxide surface can be achieved by varying the amount and type of oxidant. The resulting materials differ in level of oxidation, surface oxygen content and functionality. Most importantly, we show that these graphitic oxide materials are active as unique carbocatalysts for low-temperature aerobic epoxidation of linear alkenes in the absence of initiator or metal. An optimum level of oxidation is necessary and materials produced via conventional permanganate-based methods are far from optimal.
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
Samuel
S
Pattisson
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
Ewa
E
Nowicka
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
Upendra N
UN
Gupta
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
Greg
G
Shaw
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
Robert L
RL
Jenkins
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
David J
DJ
Morgan
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
David W
DW
Knight
Cardiff Catalysis Institute, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK.
Graham J
GJ
Hutchings
Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 25;6:21715
26911893
Chem Soc Rev. 2014 Aug 7;43(15):5288-301
24789533
Science. 2004 Oct 22;306(5696):666-9
15499015
Chem Rev. 2014 Jun 25;114(12):6179-212
24867457
Chem Soc Rev. 2010 Nov;39(11):4146-57
20623061
J Colloid Interface Sci. 2015 Jul 15;450:68-73
25801134
Acc Chem Res. 2013 Oct 15;46(10):2275-85
23270430
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2010 Sep 10;49(38):6813-6
20602388
Chem Commun (Camb). 2012 Jun 4;48(44):5443-5
22534622
Chemistry. 2012 Oct 15;18(42):13453-9
22961662
J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Apr 4;134(13):5850-6
22385480
Chemistry. 2013 Jul 15;19(29):9490-6
23780799
Chemistry. 2013 Jun 3;19(23):7547-54
23576323
Nanoscale. 2012 Jun 7;4(11):3515-22
22535381
Chem Soc Rev. 2010 Jan;39(1):228-40
20023850
ChemSusChem. 2013 May;6(5):840-6
23471876
Sci Rep. 2013 Dec 06;3:3439
24310650
Nature. 2005 Oct 20;437(7062):1132-5
16237439