Graphene oxide: a reusable and metal-free carbocatalyst for the one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridines in water

A one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine derivatives has been demonstrated through the multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, ketones, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate using graphene oxide as a heterogeneous catalyst in water as a green medium. The graphene oxide catalyst is very mild, effective, and most of its activity is preserved after being reused for five times. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.