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
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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).