Recyclable Carbon Nitride Nanosheet-Photocatalyzed Aminomethylation of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in Green Solvent

Comprehensive Summary An efficient and eco-friendly carbon nitride nanosheet (NM-g-C3N4)-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reaction of imidazo-fused heterocycles (i.e., imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole) with N-phenylglycines in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) has been developed. The toxic solvents, external oxidants, and restricted reaction conditions could be effectively avoided in this powerful and sustainable protocol. Remarkably, NM-g-C3N4 could be straightforwardly recovered by simple centrifugation and recycled and reused at least 7 times without an obvious decrease in catalytic activity.

Automated summary

An efficient and eco-friendly carbon nitride nanosheet-catalyzed decarboxylative coupling reaction of imidazo-fused heterocycles with N-phenylglycines in dimethyl carbonate has been developed. This powerful and sustainable protocol avoids toxic solvents, external oxidants, and restricted reaction conditions, with the catalyst being easily recovered and reused multiple times without a significant decrease in catalytic activity.