Question

The literature describes carboxylation as an efficient technique to increase the ability of graphene oxide to adsorb metals, as it increases the content of carboxylic acids in the material, while decreasing the content of C-O bonds of epoxide and hydroxyl groups [1,2,3]. Basically, a chemical treatment is carried out where acetic acid is used as a source of carboxylic acids, in a basic environment produced by the addition of NaOH (3M). Can anyone please tell me what is the mechanism involved in this carboxylation reaction? Specifically, why is a basic environment necessary for carboxylation and what are the chemical reactions involved?

Answer 1

Carboxylation is a reaction that incorporates carboxyl group into a compound. In the case of graphene oxide, a basic environment is necessary for the carboxylation reaction to occur.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carboxylation reaction involves the incorporation of a carboxyl group (COOH) into a compound. In the case of graphene oxide, carboxylation increases the content of carboxylic acids and decreases the content of C-O bonds of epoxide and hydroxyl groups, making it more efficient in adsorbing metals.

The mechanism of carboxylation usually involves a nucleophilic attack, where the carboxylic acid reacts with a nucleophile. In the case of carboxylation of graphene oxide using acetic acid, a basic environment produced by the addition of NaOH (3M) is necessary to promote the reaction.