Metal Nanoparticles on Lipophilic Nanographenes

Utilization of graphitic domains on nanographenes (NGs) for anchoring metal nanoparticles (NPs) can open the door for their applications in catalysis. Reported examples employ hydrophilic graphene oxides as substrates, making it difficult to coexist with organic substrates in organic solvents. The title NGs are metal NP-doped lipophilic NGs (M-NG1). Various metal cations form NPs with a diameter of a few to tens of nanometers on the basal plane. Owing to the lipophilic nature of NG1, M-NG1 is prepared by the reduction of the basal plane with sodium in THF followed by the addition of metal salts. Au-NPs on NG1 allow anchoring an organic thiol carrying an anthracene fluorophore, which is a proof of concept of composite materials utilizing the surface of NGs. The assessment of the catalytic function of Pd-NG1 reveals that chlorobenzene and bromobenzene yield a coupling product, and fluorobenzene also undergoes the reactions, demonstrating the catalytic function of Pd-NG1.

Automated summary

Utilizing graphitic domains on nanographenes for anchoring metal nanoparticles can enhance their catalytic applications. This study successfully prepared lipophilic nanographenes doped with metal nanoparticles and demonstrated their catalytic function.