A comprehensive investigation into the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of modified graphene oxide via imino bond with ferrocene as a novel photocatalyst for thioamide synthesis

Abstract

The importance of modified graphene oxide (GO) in conjunction with organometallic compounds has gained significant attention in recent years. This combination offers a promising avenue for various applications, particularly in catalysis and synthesis. For the first time, in this study, a novel approach is introduced, involving the amination of GO (GO-NH2) followed by the reaction between amine and ferrocene-aldehyde. This process results in the formation of the imino bond of ferrocene onto the GO (GO-N=Fc), showcasing a groundbreaking advancement in the field. This novel photocatalyst underwent a comprehensive analysis using various techniques including FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-visible DRS), photoluminescence (PL), photocurrent measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry. This article highlights the significance of using modified GO as a photocatalyst in organic reactions, focusing specifically on its role in the synthesis of thioamides. The synergistic effects between GO and organometallic compounds enable efficient and selective thioamide synthesis, providing a facile and more sustainable approach compared to traditional methods. Through careful manipulation of reaction conditions, control experiments, and Mott Schottky plot analysis, it was determined that the reactive species involved in this reaction are the benzyl-cation and radical-cation of aniline. Furthermore, an in-depth exploration of the mechanism of GO-N=Fc for this specific reaction was conducted.