Photo-Difunctionalization and Photo-Oxidative Cleavage of the C-C Double Bond of Styrenes in the Presence of Nanosized Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) as a Highly Efficient Photo-Induced Reusable Nanocatalyst

The synthesis of cyclic dithiocarbonates via photo-difunctionalization of the C-C double bond of styrene and aryl aldehydes via photo-oxidative cleavage of the C-C double bond of styrene was accomplished in the presence of CdS NPs at room temperature in air atmosphere under visible light irradiation without using any external oxidant. Some of the special advantages of these processes are the use of CdS NPs as a simple, accessible, safe, and visible-light-induced reusable catalyst, as well as the use of air as an easily attainable, inexpensive, and harmless oxidant, styrene as a readily accessible substrate, and visible-light as a renewable and safe energy source.