Redox activity of graphene oxide analogues in organic reactions

Abstract

Graphene oxide (GO) is generally used as a graphene precursor. The reduction of GO occurs by chemical reaction with a reducing agent, and a physical stimulus such as light, heat and pressure. GO is highly reducible, that is, it is an oxidizing agent. It is known that GO works as an oxidizing agent for alcohols. On the other hand, there are reports that GO works as an oxidation catalyst for alcohols. Reactants and catalysts are completely different, and must never be confused. The difference between GO analogues with respect to their roles as a reactant and a catalyst is discussed based on structural analysis before and after the reaction, and a study of reaction intermediates.