Graphene oxide supported MnO2 nanorods: an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for oxidation of aromatic amines to azo-compounds

Graphene oxide supported MnO2 nanorods (GOnc), a composite material, has been synthesized and characterized by XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, BET surface area measurement, FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy. The composite material (GOnc) was found to be a highly efficient, reusable and cost effective heterogeneous catalyst for the one-pot, selective synthesis of azo-compounds from aromatic amines under an N-2 atmosphere. After completion of the reaction, the catalyst is readily recovered by filtration and can be reused at least three times without significant loss in activity.