Covalent Functionalization of Graphene

We will report on new covalent functionalization concepts for graphene. For this purpose we reductively activate graphene to generate metal graphenides. These intermediates can be quenched by electrophiles such as diazonium compounds, alkyl iodides, iodonium salts, protons and bromine. For the representative structural characterization of the reaction products we have developed statistical Raman spectroscopy and Raman microscopy together we TGA/MS/GC. This allows us to determine not only the precise degree of functionalization but also allows for the investigation of the spatially resolved product homogeneity. In some case the degree of functionalization is so high that yellow fluorescent graphene derivatives were obtained.