Synthesis of nitrogen (N) and copper oxide (CuO) co-doped reduced graphene oxide as an efficient nanocatalyst for reduction of nitroarenes and synthesis of 1, 8-dioxodecahydroacridine derivatives

The present study focuses on developing a robust reduced graphene oxide-based heterogeneous catalyst by synthesizing it with the doping of nitrogen (N) and copper oxide (CuO). Various techniques were used to characterize the green catalyst, such as FTIR, PXRD, TGA, RAMAN, TEM, SEM, and EDX. The catalyst was utilized in the production of various biologically important aniline derivatives through the reduction of nitroarenes with NaBH₄ and the synthesis of 1,8-dioxodecahydroacridine derivatives via one-pot, multi-component condensation of dimedone, various aromatic aldehydes, and anilines / NH₄OAc. Some key features of the current catalytic system include a high yield (up to 96 % and 97 %, respectively), quick reaction time (20 min and 1 h, respectively), low catalyst loading (10 mg for each), broad functional group tolerance, and a simple work-up process.