A BODIPY-Based 1D Covalent Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Aerobic Oxidation

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as metal-free photocatalysts have attracted extensive interest. However, the organic transformations photocatalyzed by COFs under mild conditions remain a challenge. Herein, a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) based 1D COF, namely JNM-12, was facilely constructed by Schiff-base condensation reaction. JNM-12 exhibited strong visible-light harvesting abilities and suitable photocatalysis energy potentials, enabling the activation of O-2 to superoxide anions (O-2(center dot-)) and singlet oxygen (O-1(2)) under visible light irradiation. Benefiting from these properties, JNM-12 delivered excellent photocatalytic activity in the O-2(center dot-)-mediated oxidative coupling of amines and O-1(2)-engaged aerobic oxidation of enamines. Our work paves a new way for synthesis of COFs as efficient, economical, and green photocatalysts for organic synthesis.

Automated summary

A boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) based COF, JNM-12, was synthesized via Schiff-base condensation reaction and exhibited strong visible-light harvesting abilities. JNM-12 showed efficient photocatalytic activity in the oxidative coupling of amines and aerobic oxidation of enamines under visible light irradiation. This work provides a new approach for the synthesis of efficient, economical, and green photocatalysts for organic synthesis.