Graphene-Based Carbocatalysts for Thermoset Polymers and for Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Organic Synthesis

This review reports on the catalytic activity of graphene oxide (GO) and high-surface-area graphite (HSAG) for some relevant organic reactions. It is shown that the main drawbacks of graphite-based catalysts, that is, high catalyst loading and generally poor selectivity, can often be removed by operating under solvent-free conditions. Moreover, some reactions that are catalyzed by GO as well as HSAG are presented. For these reactions, stacking of the aromatic substrates with the graphitic planes plays a predominant role in the catalytic activity and the unexpected diastereoselective and enantioselective behaviors.