Graphene oxide catalyzed ketone α-alkylation with alkenes: enhancement of graphene oxide activity by hydrogen bonding

• DOI: 10.1039/c9cc02578b
• Publication Date: 2019-04-08T03:04:21Z
• Authors: Guangrong Meng; Mehulkumar Patel; Feixiang Luo; Qingdong Li; Carol Flach; Richard Mendelsohn; Eric Garfunkel; Huixin He; Michal Szostak
• Keywords: Surface Modification

Direct α-alkylation of carbonyl compounds represents a fundamental bond forming transformation in organic synthesis. We report the first ketone-alkylation using olefins and alcohols as simple alkylating agents catalyzed by graphene oxide. Extensive studies surface suggest pathway involving dual activation both coupling partners. Notably, we show that polar functional groups have stabilizing effect on GO surface, which results net enhancement catalytic activity. The method alkylation graphenes, opens door for development an array protocols ketone functionalization employing common building blocks readily available graphenes.