A Versatile Platform of 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl) Pyrrolidine Grafted Graphene for Preparation of Various Graphene-derived Materials

Covalent functionalization has proven an effective solution for graphene to realize its revolutionary potential in real applications, whereas the platform strategy (a reactive graphene-based material acting as the platform to undergo post-reactions for generation of various graphene-derived materials) is an attractive option to execute efficiently such a task. This contribution demonstrates that 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) pyrrolidine (DHPP) grafted graphene, G-OH, is a competent platform. Four typical but not exclusive graphene-derived materials have been prepared from G-OH by using the chemical virtue of each DHPP unit having three categories totaling six reactive sites. The controlled feature of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition for the synthesis of G-OH ensures that the electronic structure and properties of pristine graphene are succeeded largely by G-OH and thus its derivatives. A promising alternative to graphene oxide, which has been widely used as a platform to prepare the graphene-derived materials but suffers from some intrinsic disadvantages, is thus developed.