Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Synthesis of a Thiol Building Block for the Crystallization of a Semiconducting Gyroidal Metal-sulfur Framework
Published on: April 9, 2018
Sulfur Functionalization via Epoxide Ring Opening on a Reduced Graphene Oxide Surface to Form Metal (II)
Praveen Kumar1,2, Himanshu Bajpai3,2, Chinnakonda S Gopinath3,2
1Chemical Engineering and Process Development Division, CSIR - National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411 008, India.
Abstract:
The epoxide ring-opening reaction in graphene oxide (GO) by nucleophiles is a very fascinating and advanced methodology to develop novel functional material. Herewith, we report an advanced strategy for opening the epoxide ring on the rGO surface via easily an available nucleophile (Na2S), which is further functionalized with O atom to obtain four-membered rings (FMRs). The Cd coordination with the S atom puts extra stress on the FMR leading to the C-C bond cleavage of the four-membered heteroatomic rings on the rGO surface. This strategic approach leads to the fabrication of an innovative metal (II) organo-bis-[1,2]-oxathiin (MOBOT) chemical moiety (M = Cd, Zn). The MOBOT compound further shows enhanced H2 generation activity and hence is promising as a potential photocatalyst for solar hydrogen generation. This compound might also be a potential candidate for optoelectronic applications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Preparation of Epoxides
Epoxides result from alkene oxidation, which can be achieved by a) air, b) peroxy acids, c) hypochlorous acids, and d) halohydrin cyclization.
Epoxidation with Peroxy Acids
Epoxidation of alkenes via oxidation with peroxy acids involves the conversion of a carbon–carbon double bond to an epoxide using the oxidizing agent meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, commonly known as MCPBA. Since the O–O bond of peroxy acids is very weak, the addition of electrophilic oxygen of...
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide

