Novel hydrophobic cellulose aerogel (CA) supported graphene quantum dots (GQD)/Pd were synthesized with high lipophilicity, superior porosity as well as high catalytic activity.

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A new derivative of cellulose aerogel was prepared via functionalization of cellulose with dimercaprol. Dimercaprol, as a chelating agent of Au(III), was applied for the loading of Au(III) on cellulose aerogel. The new organogold compound after characterization was used as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the oxidation reactions of aliphatic alcohols, benzyl alcohol, and ethylbenzene. Excellent selectivities and good conversions were obtained in the green oxidation reactions of alcohols and ethylbenzene. The high porosity of cellulose aerogel led to the good conversions with the low catalyst amounts.The significance of the presented work is the introducing of an environmentally benign process for the oxidation reactions based on a biocompatible catalyst.