A Cascade Cross-Coupling Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Visible Light Catalysis

Cross-dehydrogenative-coupling reaction has long been recognized as a powerful tool to form a C-C bond directly from two different C-H bonds. Most current processes are performed by making use of stoichiometric amounts of oxidizing agents. We describe here a new type of reaction, namely cross-coupling hydrogen evolution (CCHE), with no use of any sacrificial oxidants, and only hydrogen (H-2) is generated as a side product. By combining eosin Y and a graphene-supported RuO2 nanocomposite (G-RuO2) as a photosensitizer and a catalyst, the desired cross-coupling products and H-2 are achieved in quantitative yields under visible light irradiation at room temperature.