Gold nanoparticles supported on thiol‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide as effective recyclable catalyst for synthesis of tetrahydro‐4H‐chromenes in aqueous media

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles supported on thiol‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide (AuNPs@RGO‐SH) were found to be a biocompatible, stable, recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. The catalysts were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The obtained catalyst was used in synthesis of tetrahydro‐4H‐chromenes in aqueous media with excellent yields. The catalysts could be easily separated from the reaction mixture and recovered several times without a significant loss of activity.