Graphene Oxide as a Metal‐free Carbocatalyst for Direct Amide Synthesis from Carboxylic Acid and Amine Under Solvent‐Free Reaction Condition

Abstract Herein, a highly efficient, metal‐free, carbocatalyst, graphene oxide (GO) has been screened for the direct amidation of carboxylic acids with amines. The present catalytic system accessed a broad range of substrates to afford amides in excellent yields. A plausible reaction mechanism involving H‐bonding with the reactants is described. Furthermore, the GO can be recycled and reused up to five cycles without substantial loss in catalytic activity.