Graphene Oxide ( GO ): A Metal‐Free Carbocatalyst for the Green Synthesis of Bioactive N, O, and S‐Heterocycles

Graphene oxide (GO) is recognized as the most versatile and multifunctional graphene‐based 2D carbonaceous nanomaterial with multifaceted roles in diverse fields. It has been extensively explored in metal‐free “carbocatalysis” since 2010. Remarkably, synthesizing medicinally privileged heterocycles using GO as a metal‐free and sustainable catalyst has received significant attention in synthetic as well as medicinal chemistry. These GO‐catalyzed synthetic approaches are associated with several green chemistry aspects, including multi‐component strategies, high atom economy, cost‐effectiveness, use of green solvents or solvent‐free reaction conditions, energy efficiency, and recyclability of the catalyst. Consequently, these protocols offer sustainable alternatives to conventional metal‐catalyzed synthetic approaches for heterocyclic synthesis, reducing waste, costs, energy consumption, and environmental and health impacts. This review provides an in‐depth overview of the advancements in the green synthesis of various bioactive N, O, and S‐heterocycles using graphene oxide (GO) as a highly efficient, metal‐free carbocatalyst over the past decade (2014–2025).