Conjugated HCl-doped polyaniline for photocatalytic oxidative coupling of amines under visible light

HCl-Doped polyaniline (PANI-ES) and PANIs of different oxidation states were prepared by a typical oxidative polymerization and subsequent redox reaction, respectively. The photocatalytic performance of PANIs towards selective benzylamine oxidation reactions under visible light was investigated. PANI-ES containing a polaron structure exhibited the highest light-induced activity (54.9%). The results show that the formation of the surface complex between PANI-ES and adsorbed amine should be responsible for the enhanced visible light activity. The newly formed polaron band in PANI-ES has a greater number of delocalized electrons, which can facilitate electron transfer and thus improve the photoactivity. These results indicate that conjugated conducting polymers can be efficient visible light-responsive nonmetal photocatalysts for green synthesis.