Covalently Modification of Graphite Oxide Surface

Swager et al. have reported a new approach for functionalizing the graphitic material graphene whose chemical reactivity is low. It is the covalent modification of graphite oxide which has hydroxy groups on the surface. In this method, hydroxy groups of graphite oxide are converted into 1-(N,N-dimethylamino)vinyloxy groups by the reaction of graphite oxide with N,N-dimethylacetamide dimethyl acetal. Subsequent Claisen rearrangement generates new C–C bonds. Since amide groups are converted into the corresponding carboxylates by hydrolysis, graphite oxide can obtain an increased hydrophilic property. The development of functionalizing the surface of graphene is expected.