Graphene-based catalysts for efficient conversion of CO₂ into value-added cyclic carbonates and oxazolidinone...

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) plays a major role in global warming, so researchers around the world are seeking ways to convert CO₂ into valuable organic compounds. Carbon-based catalysts, such as graphene oxide (GO), functionalized GO (F-GO), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites, offer exceptional surface area, high electrical conductivity, and tunable surface chemistry, making them effective for CO₂ activation and conversion under relatively mild conditions. The main goal of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of the application of graphene-based catalysts for the conversion of carbon dioxide into value-added compounds. We summarize recent reports on the conversion of CO₂ into five-membered cyclic carbonates and their five-membered analogs, oxazolidinone derivatives. This includes the cycloaddition of CO₂ with epoxide to synthesize cyclic carbonates, the cycloaddition of CO₂ with propargylic alcohols to synthesize alkylidene carbonates, the three-component coupling of CO₂, propargylic alcohols, and amines to produce oxazolidinone compounds, and the carboxylative cyclization of propargylic amines with CO₂ to produce oxazolidinone compounds. In addition, we cover the coupling reactions of arylacetylene, aldehyde, and benzylamine derivatives with carbon dioxide, as well as the coupling of imine-obtained via self-condensation of benzylamine derivatives-and arylacetylene with CO₂ for the synthesis of oxazolidinone compounds. We also briefly discuss the general mechanistic roles of graphene-based catalysts in the conversion of CO₂ into value-added products.