Selective Production of Secondary Amine by the Photocatalytic Cascade Reaction Between Nitrobenzene and Benzyl Alcohol over Nanostructured Bi2MoO6 and Pd Nanoparticles Decorated with Bi2MoO6

The synthesis of secondary amine by the photoalkylation of nitrobenzene with benzyl alcohol using a simple light source and sunlight is a challenging task. Herein, a one-pot cascade protocol is employed to synthesize secondary amine by the reaction between nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol. The one-pot cascade protocol involves four reactions: (a) photocatalytic reduction of nitrobenzene to aniline, (b) photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde, (c) reaction between aniline and benzaldehyde to form imine, and (d) photocatalytic reduction of imine to a secondary amine. The cascade protocol to synthesize secondary amine is accomplished using Bi2MoO6 and Pd nanoparticles decorated Bi2MoO6 catalysts. The surface characteristics, oxidation states, and elemental compositions of the materials are characterized by several physicochemical characterization techniques. Optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical measurements are carried out to determine the bandgap, band edge potentials, photocurrents, charge carrier's separation, etc. An excellent yield of secondary amine is achieved with simple household white LED bulbs. The catalyst also exhibits similar or even better activity in sunlight. The structure-activity relationship is established using catalytic activity data, control reactions, physicochemical, optoelectronic characteristics, and scavenging studies. Bi2MoO6 and Pd nanoparticles decorated Bi2MoO6 exhibit excellent photostability and recyclability. The simple catalyst design with a sustainable and economical light source for the synthesis of useful secondary amine from the nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol would attract the researchers to develop similar catalytic protocols for other industrially important chemicals.

Automated summary

The synthesis of secondary amine through a one-pot cascade protocol involving four reactions is successfully achieved using Bi2MoO6 and Pd nanoparticles decorated Bi2MoO6 catalyst. The catalyst exhibits excellent photostability and recyclability, and the optoelectronic and photoelectrochemical measurements provide valuable insights into the structure-activity relationship of the catalyst. This simple design with a sustainable and economical light source for the synthesis of secondary amine from nitrobenzene and benzyl alcohol could inspire the development of similar catalytic protocols for other important industrial chemicals.