Covalent Functionalization of Graphene and Carbon Nanotubes by Radical Decarboxylation

We have demonstrated that the radical decarboxylation of carboxylic acids or redox-active esters is a simple and effective strategy for the covalent modification of graphene and carbon nanotubes. Two complementary methods are described in this paper, utilizing oxidative or reductive conditions to generate radicals from carboxylic acids or redox-active esters, respectively. We have applied these methods to the conjugation of small molecules, a complex drug molecule, and polymers to graphene and carbon nanotubes.