Functionalization of Carbon Materials using the Diels-Alder Reaction

A simple and efficient Diels-Alder (DA) reaction on carbon material has been demonstrated. The present work involves single and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as well as Herringbone carbon nanofiber. The CNTs show a dual nature of reactivity in DA reaction, i.e., they behave both as dienophile and diene with furfuryl groups and maleic anhydride derivatives, respectively. Various functional groups, including alcohol, amine, epoxy, carboxylic and ester, have been introduced on the carbon materials. The results suggest that the reactivity of CNT in DA reaction may resemble the chemistry of small molecules.