Au/graphene quantum dots/ferroferric oxide composites as catalysts for the solvent-free oxidation of alcohols

• Au/GQDs composites were uniformly immobilized on Fe3O4 nanoparticles.
• Au/GQDs/Fe3O4 efficiently catalyze the solvent-free oxidation of veratryl alcohol.
• Fe3O4 made the recovery of Au/GQDs conveniently and enhance their catalytic activity.
• The oxidation of veratryl alcohol to veratraldehyde show superb selectivity.

Nanocomposites of graphene quantum dots and Au nanoparticles (GQDs/Au) are immobilized on the Fe3O4 nanoparticles, forming GQDs/Au/Fe3O4 ternary composites. The as-prepared ternary composites exhibit superparamagnetic property rendering them easy to be isolated from the reaction mixture. More importantly, they show superb catalytic activity for solvent-free oxidation of VA and other alcohols that contain an aromatic benzyl group, to the corresponding aldehydes exclusively with air as oxidant. The great stability and selectivity of the GQDs/Au/Fe3O4 indicate that they might be applicable catalysts for the oxidation of aromatic alcohols.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide