Graphene Oxide as a Mediator in Organic Synthesis: a Mechanistic Focus

Recyclable GO-Arginine Hybrids for CO2 Fixation into Cyclic Carbonates

New covalently modified GO-guanidine materials have been realized in a gram-scale synthesis and purified by an innovative microfiltration. The use of these composites in the fixation of CO₂ into cyclic carbonates is demonstrated. Mild operating conditions, high yields (up to 85 %), wide scope (15 examples) and recoverability/reusability (up to 5 cycles) of the material account for the efficiency of the protocol. Dedicated control experiments shed light on the activation modes exerted by GO-l-arginine during the ring-opening/closing synthetic sequence.

Visible-Light Assisted Covalent Surface Functionalization of Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets with Arylazo Sulfones

We present an environmentally benign methodology for the covalent functionalization (arylation) of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets with arylazo sulfones. A variety of tagged aryl units were conveniently accommodated at the rGO surface via visible-light irradiation of suspensions of carbon nanostructured materials in aqueous media. Mild reaction conditions, absence of photosensitizers, functional group tolerance and high atomic fractions (XPS analysis) represent some of the salient features characterizing the present methodology. Control experiments for the mechanistic elucidation (Raman analysis) and chemical nanomanipulation of the tagged rGO surfaces are also reported.