Designed Synthesis of a 2D Porphyrin‐Based sp2 Carbon‐Conjugated Covalent Organic Framework for Heterogeneous Photocatalysis

The construction of stable covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for various applications is highly desirable. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel two‐dimensional (2D) porphyrin‐based sp² carbon‐conjugated COF (Por‐sp²c‐COF), which adopts an eclipsed AA stacking structure with a Brunauer—Emmett—Teller surface area of 689 m² g^?1. Owing to the C=C linkages, Por‐sp²c‐COF shows a high chemical stability under various conditions, even under harsh conditions such as 9 m HCl and 9 m NaOH solutions. Interestingly, Por‐sp²c‐COF can be used as a metal‐free heterogeneous photocatalyst for the visible‐light‐induced aerobic oxidation of amines to imines. More importantly, in comparison to imine‐linked Por‐COF, the inherent structure of Por‐sp²c‐COF equips it with several advantages as a photocatalyst, including reusability and high photocatalytic performance. This clearly demonstrates that sp² carbon‐linked 2D COFs can provide an interesting platform for heterogeneous photocatalysis.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Selective Photocatalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Amines into Imines on TiO2

Imines are important intermediates for the synthesis of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural chemicals. Selective oxidation of amines into their corresponding imines with dioxygen is one of the most‐fundamental chemical transformations. Herein, we report the oxidation of a series of benzylic amines into their corresponding imines with atmospheric dioxygen as the oxidant on a surface of anatase TiO₂ under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm). The visible‐light response of this system was caused by the formation of a surface complex through the adsorption of a benzylic amine onto the surface of TiO₂. From the analysis of products of specially designed benzylic amines, we demonstrated that a highly selective oxygenation reaction proceeds via an oxygen‐transfer mechanism to afford the corresponding carbonyl compound, whose further condensation with an amine would generate the final imine product. We found that when primary benzylic amines (13 examples), were chosen as the substrates, moderate to excellent selectivities for the imine products were achieved (ca. 38–94 %) in moderate to excellent conversion rates (ca. 44–95 %). When secondary benzylic amines (15 examples) were chosen as the substrates, both the corresponding imines and aldehydes were detected as the main products with moderate to high conversion rates (ca. 18–100 %) and lower selectivities for the imine products (ca. 14–69 %). When tribenzylamine was chosen as the substrate, imine (27 %), dibenzylamine (24 %), and benzaldehyde products (39 %) were obtained in a conversion of 50 %. This report can be viewed as a prototypical system for the activation of C? H bonds adjacent to heteroatoms such as N, O, and S atoms, and oxofuctionalization with air or dioxygen as the terminal oxidant under visible‐light irradiation using TiO₂ as the photocatalyst.     

A Tailored Heptazine-Based Porous Polymeric Network as a Versatile Heterogeneous (Photo)catalyst

A heptazine-based microporous polymeric network, HMP-TAPA was synthesised by direct coupling of trichloroheptazine and tris(4-aminophenyl)amine (TAPA). A high surface area of 424 m²/g was achieved, which is the highest surface area among heptazine-based polymeric networks (HMPs). The tailored electron-donor and -acceptor units in HMP-TAPA give broad visible-light absorption. HMP-TAPA was employed as metal-free photocatalyst for oxidative coupling of amines to imines under visible light irradiation with 98 % selectivity. Furthermore, the surface basicity of HMP-TAPA was used to achieve metal-free heterogeneous base catalysis for Knoevenagel condensation under base-free conditions with >99 % conversion. In addition, HMP-TAPA showed extreme robustness over a wide pH range (1–14). The versatility and flexibility of the current material design is beneficial for understanding its photoactivity and surface basicity so as to design dual active (photo)catalyst materials for specific applications.     

Multi‐Electron Oxygen Reduction by a Hybrid Visible‐Light‐Photocatalyst Consisting of Metal‐Oxide Semiconductor and Self‐Assembled Biomimetic Complex

Adsorption experiments and density functional theory (DFT) simulations indicated that Cu(acac)₂ is chemisorbed on the monoclinic sheelite (ms)‐BiVO₄ surface to form an O₂‐bridged binuclear complex (OBBC/BiVO₄) like hemocyanin. Multi‐electron reduction of O₂ is induced by the visible‐light irradiation of the OBBC/BiVO₄ in the same manner as a blue Cu enzyme. The drastic enhancement of the O₂ reduction renders ms‐BiVO₄ to work as a good visible‐light photocatalyst without any sacrificial reagents. As a model reaction, we show that this biomimetic hybrid photocatalyst exhibits a high level of activity for the aerobic oxidation of amines to aldehydes in aqueous solution and imines in THF solution at 25 °C giving selectivities above 99 % under visible‐light irradiation.     

Plasma-Enhanced Chemical-Vapor-Deposition Synthesis of Photoredox-Active Nitrogen-Doped Carbon from NH3 and CH4 Gases

Earth's primordial atmosphere was rich in ammonia and methane. To understand the evolution of the atmosphere, these two gases were used to make photoredox-active nitrogen-doped carbon (NDC). Photocatalysts such as NDC might play an important role in the development of geological and atmospheric chemistry during the Archean era. This study describes the synthesis of NDC directly from NH₃ and CH₄ gases. The photocatalyst product can be used to selectively synthesize imines by photo-oxidization of amines, producing H₂O₂ simultaneously in the photoreduction reaction. Our findings shed light on the chemical evolution of the Earth.     

Solar Light Responsive Graphitic Carbon Nitride Coupled Porphyrin Photocatalyst that Uses for Solar Fine Chemical Production

Photocatalysis is a defendable manner for production of several organic chemicals, energy and its storage from solar energy. For the evolution of metal free, cost-effective catalyst a 2D composite has been appear as a photocatalyst. Here, we had reported the synthesis of a light harvesting composite as a photocatalyst which was assembled by a poly-condensation mechanism between graphitic carbon nitride and tetrakis(4-nitrophenyl) porphyrin and the resulting composite manifest the excellent light harvesting properties, suitable energy band and low charge recombination. The photocatalyst [(NO₂)₄TPP@g-C₃N₄] enables the efficient photocatalytic production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) from consumed NAD⁺ also the production of organic chemicals like 4-methoxybenzylimines from 4-methoxybenzylamines. The photocatalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst was estimated by the percentage of NADH regeneration and the percentage yield of organic transformations. It shows the tetrakis(4-nitrophenyl) porphyrin could enhance the charge transfer capacity of graphitic carbon nitride which shows excellent photocatalysis activities and organic transformations.     

2D sp2 Carbon-Conjugated Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework for Cooperative Photocatalysis with TEMPO

2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are receiving ongoing attention in semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, we present a photocatalytic selective chemical transformation by combining sp² carbon-conjugated porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (Por-sp²c-COF) photocatalysis with TEMPO catalysis illuminated by 623 nm red light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly selective conversion of amines into imines was swiftly afforded in minutes. Specifically, the π-conjugation of porphyrin linker leads to extensive absorption of red light; the sp² −C=C− double bonds linkage ensures the stability of Por-sp²c-COF under high concentrations of amine. Most importantly, we found that crystalline framework of Por-sp²c-COF is pivotal for cooperative photocatalysis with (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO). This work foreshadows that the outstanding hallmarks of COFs, particularly crystallinity, could be exploited to address energy and environmental challenges by cooperative photocatalysis.     

Green route synthesis of Schiff's bases of isonicotinic acid hydrazide

Abstract

Imines constitute a class of therapeutic agents that possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological activity. The conventional method for synthesis of imines by nucleophilic addition of amines to ketones or aldehydes requires long reaction times along with the use of organic solvents and a glacial acetic acid catalyst. We report the synthesis of Schiff's bases of isonicotinic acid hydrazide by novel, green routes using sonication, stirring, and microwave irradiation, respectively. Initial results are reported and indicate that by employing greener methods under aqueous conditions, high yields and shorter reaction times can be achieved.     

2D sp2 Carbon‐Conjugated Porphyrin Covalent Organic Framework for Cooperative Photocatalysis with TEMPO

2D covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are receiving ongoing attention in semiconductor photocatalysis. Herein, we present a photocatalytic selective chemical transformation by combining sp² carbon‐conjugated porphyrin‐based covalent organic framework (Por‐sp²c‐COF) photocatalysis with TEMPO catalysis illuminated by 623 nm red light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Highly selective conversion of amines into imines was swiftly afforded in minutes. Specifically, the π‐conjugation of porphyrin linker leads to extensive absorption of red light; the sp² ?C=C? double bonds linkage ensures the stability of Por‐sp²c‐COF under high concentrations of amine. Most importantly, we found that crystalline framework of Por‐sp²c‐COF is pivotal for cooperative photocatalysis with (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO). This work foreshadows that the outstanding hallmarks of COFs, particularly crystallinity, could be exploited to address energy and environmental challenges by cooperative photocatalysis.     

A Metalloenzyme‐Like Catalytic System for the Chemoselective Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of Primary Amines to Imines under Ambient Conditions

The direct oxidative cross‐coupling of primary amines is a challenging transformation as homocoupling is usually preferred. We report herein the chemoselective preparation of cross‐coupled imines through the synergistic combination of low loadings of Cu^II metal‐catalyst and o‐iminoquinone organocatalyst under ambient conditions. This homogeneous cooperative catalytic system has been inspired by the reaction of copper amine oxidases, a family of metalloenzymes with quinone organic cofactors that mediate the selective oxidation of primary amines to aldehydes. After optimization, the desired cross‐coupled imines are obtained in high yields with broad substrate scope through a transamination process that leads to the homocoupled imine intermediate, followed by dynamic transimination. The ability to carry out the reactions at room temperature and with ambient air, rather than molecular oxygen as the oxidant, and equimolar amounts of each coupling partner is particularly attractive from an environmentally viewpoint.     

Synthetic route for the novel pyrimidine-substituted alkanoate,acetohydrazide, and imines: Synthon for β-lactams

A simple and efficient synthesis of novel pyrimidine-substituted alkanoate, acetohydrazide, and imines is described. The synthesis of novel ethyl 2-(2,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yloxy)acetate (EDMPyA) 2 was performed through S_N2 O-alkylation of 2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxypyrimidine 1 with ethyl haloacetate. The compound EDMPyA 2 was subjected to nucleophilic substitution reaction with hydrazine hydrate to afford novel 2-(2,6-dimethylpyrimidin-4-yloxy)acetohydrazide (DMPyAH) 3. This DMPyAH 3 upon condensation with differently substituted carbonyl compounds (aldehydes/ketones) furnished DMPyAH imines (DMPyAH-I) 4a–d. These imines can be used for the preparation of unique β-lactams. The structure elucidation of all the newly synthesized compounds was performed using spectroscopy (FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR) and elemental analysis (C, H, N).     

Chemical‐Bond‐Mediated p–n Heterojunction Photocatalyst Constructed from Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles and a Conducting Copolymer: Visible‐Light Active and Highly Efficient

A visible‐light‐active p–n heterojunction photocatalyst has been synthesized by the enwrapping of poly[aniline‐co‐N‐(4‐sulfophenyl)aniline] ( PAPSA ) on a coordination polymer nanoparticle ( NCP ). Compared with the visible‐light‐inactive NCP , the new p–n heterojunction photocatalyst, PAPSA/NCP , exhibits a much higher efficiency in the reduction of Cr^VI under visible light. PAPSA performs two functions in this p–n heterojunction photocatalyst. First, as a visible‐light‐active material, it extends the photoresponse region of the photocatalyst from the ultraviolet to the visible‐light region. Secondly, as a p‐type semiconductor possessing suitable energy levels with respect to NCP , PAPSA forms a p–n heterojunction with the n‐type NCP ; the inner electric field of the p–n heterojunction accelerates the separation of electrons and holes, which enhances the photocatalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the p–n heterojunction photocatalyst exhibits outstanding stability during the photocatalytic reduction of Cr^VI.     

MOFs Conferred with Transient Metal Centers for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Highly effective photocatalysts for the hydrogen‐evolution reaction were developed by conferring the linkers of NH₂‐MIL‐125(Ti), a metal–organic framework (MOF) constructed from TiO_x clusters and 2‐aminoterephthalic acid (linkers), with active copper centers. This design enables effective transfer of electrons from the linkers to the transient Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ centers, leading to 7000‐fold and 27‐fold increase of carrier density and lifetime of photogenerated charges, respectively, as well as high‐rate production of H₂ under visible‐light irradiation. This work provides a novel design of a photocatalyst for hydrogen evolution using non‐noble Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ as co‐catalysts.     

Uracil ring opening in the reaction of 5-formyl-2′-deoxyuridine with primary alkyl amines

Treatment of 5-formyl-2′-deoxyuridine (f⁵dU) with stoichiometric amounts of strongly nucleophilic, non-hindered primary alkyl amines led to fast and quantitative formation of the corresponding Schiff bases. In the presence of excess amines, novel nucleosides with ring opened pyrimidine bases were formed as a result of the Michael addition of a second amine to the pre-formed imines. In the reaction of f⁵dU with aromatic amines, the formation of Schiff base derivatives was slower and even under prolonged treatment with an excess of amine the uracil ring remained intact.     

Sunlight-Active BiOI Photocatalyst as an Efficient Adsorbent for the Removal of Organic Dyes and Antibiotics from Aqueous Solutions

A bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) photocatalyst with excellent sunlight-driven performance was synthesized by a solvothermal route without the addition of surfactants or capping agents. The prepared photocatalyst exhibited a tetragonal phase with an energy band gap of 2.15 eV. The efficiency of the photocatalyst was elucidated by monitoring the photodegradation of organic dyes and antibiotics. The BiOI photocatalyst provided a 95% removal of norfloxacin (NOR) antibiotics under visible light illumination. Interestingly, the complete removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye was achieved after 80 min of natural sunlight irradiation. The photodegradation reaction followed the first-order reaction. Both photo-generated holes and electrons play vital roles in the photodegradation of the pollutant. The BiOI photocatalyst remains stable and still shows a high efficiency even after the fifth run. This confirms the great cycling ability and high structural stability of the photocatalyst. The prepared BiOI catalyst, with a high surface area of 118 m² g⁻¹, can act as an excellent adsorbent as well. The synergistic effect based on both adsorption and photocatalysis is a key factor in achieving a very high removal efficiency. The photoactivity under sunlight is higher than that observed under visible light, supporting the practical use of the BiOI photocatalyst for the removal of organic pollutants in wastewater through the utilization of abundant solar energy.     

Ionic‐Liquid‐Assisted Synthesis of Uniform Fluorinated B/C‐Codoped TiO2 Nanocrystals and Their Enhanced Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Activity

Exploiting advanced photocatalysts under visible light is of primary significance for the development of environmentally relevant photocatalytic decontamination processes. In this study, the ionic liquid (IL), 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, was employed for the first time as both a structure‐directing agent and a dopant for the synthesis of novel fluorinated B/C‐codoped anatase TiO₂ nanocrystals (T_IL) through hydrothermal hydrolysis of tetrabutyl titanate. These T_IL nanocrystals feature uniform crystallite and pore sizes and are stable with respect to phase transitions, crystal ripening, and pore collapse upon calcination treatment. More significantly, these nanocrystals possess abundant localized states and strong visible‐light absorption in a wide range of wavelengths. Because of synergic interactions between titania and codopants, the calcined T_IL samples exhibited high visible‐light photocatalytic activity in the presence of oxidizing Rhodamine B (RhB). In particular, 300 °C‐calcined T_IL was most photocatalytically active; its activity was much higher than that of TiO_1.98N_0.02 and reference samples (T_W) obtained under identical conditions in the absence of ionic liquid. Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic oxidation mechanism and the active species involved in the RhB degradation photocatalyzed by the T_IL samples were primarily investigated experimentally by using different scavengers. It was found that both holes and electrons, as well as their derived active species, such as ^.OH, contributed to the RhB degradation occurring on the fluorinated B/C‐codoped TiO₂ photocatalyst, in terms of both the photocatalytic reaction dynamics and the reaction pathway. The synthesis of the aforementioned novel photocatalyst and the identification of specific active species involved in the photodegradation of dyes could shed new light on the design and synthesis of semiconductor materials with enhanced photocatalytic activity towards organic pollutants.     

Cooperative Photocatalysis with 4-Amino-TEMPO for Selective Aerobic Oxidation of Amines over TiO2 Nanotubes

Attaching π-conjugated molecules onto TiO₂ can form surface complexes that could capture visible light. However, to make these TiO₂ surface complexes durable, integrating 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) or its analogues as a redox mediator with photocatalysis is the key to constructing selective chemical transformations. Herein, sodium 6,7-dihydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonate (DHNS) was obtained by extending the π-conjugated system of catechol by adding a benzene ring and a substituent sodium sulfonate (−SO₃⁻Na⁺). The DHNS−TiO₂ showed the best photocatalytic activity towards the blue light-induced selective aerobic oxidation of benzylamine. Compared to TEMPO, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO) could rise above 70% in conversion of benzylamine over the DHNS−TiO₂ photocatalyst. Eventually, a wide range of amines could be selectively oxidized into imines with atmospheric O₂ by cooperative photocatalysis of DHNS−TiO₂ with 4-amino-TEMPO. Notably, superoxide (O₂^•−) is crucial in coupling the photocatalytic cycle of DHNS−TiO₂ and the redox cycle of 4-amino-TEMPO. This work underscores the design of surface ligands for semiconductors and the selection of a redox mediator in visible light photocatalysis for selective chemical transformations.     

Intramolecular Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reactions Catalyzed by BiCl3: Stereoselective Synthesis of Benzo‐Annelated Decahydrofuro[3,2‐h][1,6]naphthyridine Derivatives

A novel, efficient synthesis of a series of functionalized, benzo‐annelated decahydrofuro[3,2‐h][1,6]naphthyridine derivatives 3 has been achieved. The protocol is based on the intramolecular hetero‐Diels–Alder (IMHDA) reaction of in situ formed imines derived from an N‐prenylated sugar aldehyde 1 and different aromatic amines 2 in the presence of bismuth(III) chloride as catalyst. The reactions could be run under very mild conditions at room temperature, and were complete within 30 min, affording exclusively and stereoselectively the corresponding trans‐fused products 3 in good‐to‐excellent yields (Table).     

A Methylthio‐Functionalized‐MOF Photocatalyst with High Performance for Visible‐Light‐Driven H2 Evolution

Recently, the emergence of photoactive metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has given great prospects for their applications as photocatalytic materials in visible‐light‐driven hydrogen evolution. Herein, a highly photoactive visible‐light‐driven material for H₂ evolution was prepared by introducing methylthio terephthalate into a MOF lattice via solvent‐assisted ligand‐exchange method. Accordingly, a first methylthio‐functionalized porous MOF decorated with Pt co‐catalyst for efficient photocatalytic H₂ evolution was achieved, which exhibited a high quantum yield (8.90 %) at 420 nm by use sacrificial triethanolamine. This hybrid material exhibited perfect H₂ production rate as high as 3814.0 μmol g^?1 h^?1, which even is one order of magnitude higher than that of the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/MOF photocatalyst derived from aminoterephthalate.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐Aryl‐1,2‐dihydropyridines by [2+2+2] Cycloaddition of Imines with Alkynes through T‐Shaped 14‐Electron Aza‐Nickelacycle Key Intermediates

Despite there being a straightforward approach for the synthesis of 1,2‐dihydropyridines, the transition‐metal‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction of imines with alkynes has been achieved only with imines containing an N‐sulfonyl or ‐pyridyl group. Considering the importance of 1,2‐dihydropyridines as useful intermediates in the preparation of a wide range of valuable organic molecules, it would be very worthwhile to provide novel strategies to expand the scope of imines. Herein we report a successful expansion of the scope of imines in nickel‐catalyzed [2+2+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. In the presence of a nickel(0)/PCy₃ catalyst, a reaction with N‐benzylidene‐P,P‐diphenylphosphinic amide was developed. Moreover, an application of N‐aryl imines to the reaction was also achieved by adopting N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands. The isolation of an (η²‐N‐aryl imine)nickel(0) complex containing a 14‐electron nickel(0) center and a T‐shaped 14‐electron five‐membered aza‐nickelacycle is shown. These would be considered as key intermediates of the reaction. The structure of these complexes was unambiguously determined by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray analyses.