Visible-Light-Responsive Nano CuO/ZnO Photocatalyst for Chan-Lam Coupling Reaction and Aerobic C(sp 3 )-H Bond Oxidation

When it comes to heterogeneous photocatalysts, semiconductors are the best candidate with a high potential to respond in visible-light regions. In this study, semiconductor p-n heterojunction, nano CuO/ZnO, was synthesized via a simple, sustainable, and low-cost approach. Photocatalytic activity of the synthesized material with a 2.02 eV band gap was investigated in the Chan-Lam coupling reaction and C(sp(3))-H bond oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds under visible light irradiation in aqueous solution. In the case of the Chan-Lam coupling reaction, various derivatives of aniline and arylboronic acid successfully took part in the reaction, delivering the desired products in 57-89% yields. In addition, nano CuO/ZnO photocatalyst showed high efficiency in the C(sp(3))-H bond oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds under air as a green oxidant. Noticeably, the photocatalyst showed high performance in the large-scale synthesis of desired products and maintained activity after several uses.

Automated summary

In this study, a semiconductor p-n heterojunction, nano CuO/ZnO, was synthesized using a simple, sustainable, and low-cost approach. The synthesized material showed photocatalytic activity in the Chan-Lam coupling reaction and C(sp(3))-H bond oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds under visible light irradiation. The photocatalyst exhibited high efficiency and maintained activity after multiple uses.