Modified Graphene Oxide Based Zinc Composite: an Efficient Catalyst for N-formylation and Carbamate Formation Reactions Through CO2 Fixation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/cctc.201801963

Catalytic fixation of CO₂ through chemical reactions is always a challenging task of synthetic chemistry. This paper represents the design and synthesis of an eco-friendly low cost zinc metal containing heterogeneous catalyst of aminically modified Graphene Oxide. Characterization of the catalyst has been carried out by Raman and FTIR spectra, AAS, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX and N₂ adsorption desorption studies. It was found that the catalyst was very proficient for the CO₂ fixation through N-formylation and carbamate formation reactions of amines. Catalytic N-formylation reaction of both aromatic and aliphatic amines gave high yield of corresponding formylated products in presence of polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) as reducing agent under 1 bar CO₂ pressure and mild temperature. Formation of carbamates from aniline or its derivatives and alkyl/aryl bromide with good product selectivity was also achieved under same CO₂ pressure in presence of our synthesized catalyst at room temperature with solvent-free condition. The catalyst is reusable and e?cient even after six cycles.