Controlled Functionalization of Graphene by Oxo-addends

Abstract

The single carbon layer graphene and especially its oxidized derivatives, such as graphene oxide (GO), are in the focus of research that started already 150 years ago [1-6]. GO is a collective term for various single layers of graphene (with lattice defects) functionalized by oxo-addends. The type of oxo-groups is not defined, but epoxy and hydroxyl groups dominate the structure in addition to in-plane lattice defects on the percent scale. Those defects are rarely considered in chemical functionalization approaches and it is impossible to distinguish between functionalization of surface oxo-groups and in-plane oxo-groups. This chapter focuses on functionalized derivatives of graphene with an almost intact carbon framework, termed "oxo-functionalized graphene" (oxo-G1, index indicates the number of layers). Avoiding in-plane defects further allows the development of a controlled chemistry of graphene with oxo-addends. However, general approaches of conventional GO chemistry are summarized in a separate section.