Graphene-catalyzed formation of C≡N bonds via cleavage of C-C and N-O bonds in ethanol and nitrate under room temperature

The cleavage of carbon-carbon bonds and the formation of carbon-nitrogen bonds play crucial roles in chemical synthesis. However, these reactions usually proceed at high temperature and involve multiple steps. Herein, we report an unusual and novel reaction catalyzed by graphene. The C-C bond in ethanol and the N-O bond in nitrate can be broken under room temperature, accompanied by the formation of the C≡N bond. We demonstrate these reactions and elucidate their mechanisms by verifying that the product is silver cyanide which was formed when mixing a solution of silver nitrate and ethanol with graphene dispersion in ethanol at room temperature. The pivotal reason for the reaction is the formation of the precipitated silver cyanide. In a broader context, this discovery opens a significant new path for the breakage of the C-C bond in ethanol and the synthesis of nitriles under mild conditions. Also, the graphene was first reported as a catalyst for the room-temperature reaction.