Claisen Rearrangement of Graphite Oxide: A Route to Covalently Functionalized Graphenes

Abstract

On the GO: The basal plane allylic alcohol functionality of graphite oxide (GO) can be converted into N,N-dimethylamide groups through an Eschenmoser–Claisen sigmatropic rearrangement by using N,N-dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal. Subsequent saponification of these groups affords the carboxylic acids (see picture), which, when deprotonated, electrostatically stabilize the graphene sheets in an aqueous environment.