Reduced Graphene Oxides as Carbocatalysts in Acceptorless Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles

The catalytic properties of graphene-derived materials are evaluated in acceptorless dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles. Among them, reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) are active (quantitative yields in 23 h) under mild conditions (130 degrees C) and act as efficient heterogeneous carbocatalysts. rGO exhibits reusability and stability at least during eight consecutive runs. Mechanistic investigations supported by experimental evidence (i.e., organic molecules as model compounds, purposely addition of metal impurities and selective functional group masking experiments) suggest a preferential contribution of ketone carbonyl groups as active sites for this transformation.