Vanadia-catalyzed solar photooxidation of aniline

Vanadia photocatalyzes the oxidation of aniline to azobenzene in ethanol. The reaction was studied using natural sunlight and UV irradiation (365 nm) as a function of [aniline], catalyst loading, airflow rate, solvent composition, etc. The photocatalyst exhibits sustainable catalytic activity. The product formation is greater with illumination at 254 nm than at 365 nm. Electron donors such as triphenylphosphine, diphenylamine, and hydroquinone enhance the photocatalysis. The singlet oxygen quencher azide ion fails to inhibit the catalysis. The photocatalysis takes place in both protic and aprotic solvents. The mechanism of photocatalysis is discussed and the product formation analyzed using a kinetic model.