▎ 摘　　要

Carboxyl and nitrite functionalized graphene quantum dots was prepared from carboxyl and hydroxyl functionalized graphene quantum dots using NaNO2 in the absence of mineral acids. This functional group conversion was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, photoluminescence and X-ray diffraction. The carboxyl and nitrite functionalized graphene quantum dots was used as an effective nitrosonium ion source and reusable catalyst for the efficient diazotization of a variety of arylamines without using any additional acid. Subsequent azo-coupling of these freshly prepared diazonium salts with a range of active aromatic compounds led to the requisite azo-dyes in excellent yields in very short reaction times with a simple experimental procedure. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.