Inside Back Cover: Synthesis of Graphene Oxide by Oxidation of Graphite with Ferrate(VI) Compounds: Myth or Reality? (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 39/2016)

Ferrate or not ferrate that is the question. Recently, the synthesis of graphene oxide using potassium ferrate(VI) ions has been reported. In their Communication on page 11965 ff., Z. Sofer, M. Pumera, and co-workers critically replicate and evaluate the new ferrate(VI) oxidation method. In addition, they test the use of potassium ferrate(VI) for the synthesis of graphene oxide under various experimental routes. The oxidation of graphite by ferrate(VI) is shown to be impossible owing to its fast decomposition in an acidic environment.