Gold nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide sheets with high catalytic activity for Ullmann homocoupling

A Au nanoparticle-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (Au NPs-RGO) was used as an effective and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the Ullmann homocoupling of aryl iodides with short reaction times and good yields. For the first time, aryl bromides bearing electron-withdrawing groups were coupled in the presence of a catalyst giving moderate yields.