3D Porous MoS2-Decorated Reduced Graphene Oxide Aerogel as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Reductive Transformation Reactions

The MoS2-based reduced graphene oxide aerogel (MoS2-rGOA)-assisted organic transformation reactions are presented. MoS2-rGOA is used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the reduction of benzene derivatives such as benzaldehyde, nitrobenzene, and benzonitrile to benzyl alcohol, aniline, and benzamide and their derivatives, respectively, in green solvents (water/methanol) and green reducing agents (hydrazine hydrate having N-2 and H-2 as byproducts). The mechanistic features of the reduction pathway, substrate scope, and the best suitable conditions by varying the temperature, solvent, reducing agent, catalyst loading, time, etc. are optimized. All of the synthesized products are obtained in quantitative yield with purity and well characterized based on nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Further, it is also observed that our catalyst is efficiently recyclable and works well checked up to 5 cycles.

Automated summary

In this study, the MoS2-based reduced graphene oxide aerogel (MoS2-rGOA) is used as a catalyst for the reduction of benzene derivatives. The reductions of benzaldehyde, nitrobenzene, and benzonitrile to benzyl alcohol, aniline, and benzamide and their derivatives are achieved using green solvents (water/methanol) and green reducing agents (hydrazine hydrate). The reaction conditions, including temperature, solvent, reducing agent, catalyst loading, and time, are optimized. The synthesized products are obtained in high yield and purity, and the catalyst is recyclable for up to 5 cycles.