CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Graphite oxide (GO) can be synthesized via the controlled oxidation of graphite. GO is a two-dimensional solid in bulk form, with strong covalent bonding within the hexagonal layers and weaker interlayer contacts between intercalated water molecules. GO is composed of graphitic regions interspersed with sp3 hybridized carbons containing hydroxyl and epoxide groups and sp2 hybridized carbons with carboxyl and carbonyl goups at the sheet edges. Accordingly, GO is a hydrophilic material, which readily adsorbs water or other polar liquids. As related to their hydrophobic character, the Pd-GO samples could be readily dispersed in organic solvents. Catalytic investigations for the liquid-phase hydrogenations of internal alkynes under mild conditions (298 K, 105 Pa) gave evidence that the Pd-GO samples were highly active and stereoselective catalysts.