Visible-light assisted of nano Ni/g-C3N4 with efficient photocatalytic activity and stability for selective aerobic C-H activation and epoxidation

A selective, economical, and ecological protocol has been described for the oxidation of methyl arenes and their analogs to the corresponding carbonyl compounds and epoxidation reactions of alkenes with molecular oxygen (O-2) or air as a green oxygen source, under mild reaction conditions. The nano Ni/g-C3N4 exhibited high photocatalytic activity, stability, and selectivity in the C-H activation of methyl arenes, methylene arenes, and epoxidation of various alkenes under visible- light irradiation without the use of an oxidizing agent and under base free conditions. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.