Graphene oxide-catalysed oxidation reaction of unsaturated compounds under microwave irradiation

• Graphene oxide as active and selective catalyst for oxidations
• GO and H2O2 combination as efficient system under microwave irradiation
• High selectivity towards selective oxidation products
• Mechanistic insights provided from GO oxidation

Graphene oxide (GO) was investigated as a catalyst in the oxidation of alkenes and alkynes in combination with microwave heating. Styrene and phenylacetylene were selected as model compounds for the study. Moderate catalyst loadings (25 wt.%) and short reaction times (1 h) were employed, demonstrating that the combination of GO and H2O2 under microwave irradiation possessed an optimum oxidation capacity to oxidize double bonds to different alcohols and aldehydes.