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Abstract
Background
L-Pro was previously used as an organocatalyst in the Mannich reaction under homogeneous conditions; a recoverable catalyst could be useful; this is the first report on the application of prolinated carbon dots to the Mannich reaction.
Methods
Prolinated carbon dots were synthesized electrochemically using a bottom-up approach; they were characterized and used in the Mannich reaction in water using only a slight excess of ketone; for a useful comparison, L-proline decorated graphene oxide was synthesized.
Results
The characterization of carbon dots and functionalized graphene oxide confirmed the presence of L-Pro on their surface; their use in the Mannich reaction gave good yields when carrying out the reaction in water; a possible recycle of the catalyst was demonstrated.
Conclusions
Both electrochemically synthesized prolinated carbon dots and prolinated graphene oxide acted as organocatalysts in the Mannich reaction. Higher yields were obtained using L-Pro-CDs obtained under galvanostatic conditions.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgment
The authors thank Marco Di Pilato for his help with the electrochemical experiments and CNIS technicians for nanoparticles characterization.
Author contributions
Conceptualization, M.F., M.B., and F.V.; methodology, M.B. and F.V.; investigation, M.B., D.R., and B.S.; resources, M.F., F.V.; data curation, D.R.; writing—original draft preparation, F.V. and M.B.; writing—review and editing, F.V.; visualization, F.V. and D.R.; supervision, M.F.; project administration, F.V. and M.F.; funding acquisition, M.F., F.V. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).