Ac opperc omplex bearing an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand with ap yrene "tail" attached to the backbone has been prepared and supported on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The free and supported copper materials have been employed as homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts in the functionalization of hydrocarbonss uch as nhexane, cyclohexane, and benzene through incorporation of the CHCO 2 Et unit from ethyl diazoacetate. The grapheneanchored complex displays higherr eaction rates and induces higher yields than its soluble counterpart, features that can be rationalizedi nt erms of adecrease in electron density at the metal centerd ue to ar emote net electronic flux from the supported coppercomplex to the graphene surface.

The functionalization of methane in water at room temperature has been achieved in a transformation that takes place inside micelles formed in situ with surfactants.