Efficient photocatalytic synthesis of l-glutamate using a self-assembled carbon nitride/sulfur/porphyrin catalyst

Mimicking natural photosynthesis is a promising way to produce fine chemicals, yet there is a need for efficient catalysts. Here, we synthesized a photocatalyst made of self-assembled graphitic carbon nitride/sulfur/cobalt (III) tetraphenyl porphyrin, and we used this photocatalyst for production of the l-glutamate amino acid in 93.6% yield. Regeneration of the 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactor under visible light reached 88.3%.