Serinol derivatives for the preparation of few layers graphene

A biobased Janus molecule, 2-(2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-1,3-propanediol (serinol pyrrole, SP), was used to prepare adducts with few layers graphene. Polyurethanes were prepared through the solvent free reaction of SP and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate and polyethers were obtained from SP and 1,6-dibromo-hexane. Oligomers of both polymers gave stable interaction with carbon allotropes, such as few layers graphene and carbon nanotubes. This work demonstrates that is possible to introduce functional groups on graphene layers avoiding the oxidation reaction and, thus, harsh reaction conditions, dangerous and toxic reagents, solvents and catalysts. Moreover, SP allows the preparation of few layers graphene without adopting the two step oxidation-reduction process. The mechanism for the reaction of SP with graphene layers is discussed.