Abstract
When it comes to heterogeneous photocatalysts, semiconductors are the best candidate
with a high potential to respond in visible-light regions. In this study, semiconductor
p-n heterojunction, nano CuO/ZnO, was synthesized via a simple, sustainable, and low-cost
approach. Photocatalytic activity of the synthesized material with a 2.02 eV band
gap was investigated in the Chan–Lam coupling reaction and C(sp3)–H bond oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds under visible-light irradiation in
aqueous solution. In the case of the Chan–Lam coupling reaction, various derivatives
of aniline and arylboronic acid successfully took part in the reaction, delivering
the desired products in 57–89% yields. In addition, nano CuO/ZnO photocatalyst showed
high efficiency in the C(sp3)–H bond oxidation of alkyl aromatic compounds under air as a green oxidant. Noticeably,
the photocatalyst showed high performance in the large-scale synthesis of desired
products and maintained activity after several uses.
Key words
semiconductor - heterogeneous photocatalyst - Chan–Lam reaction - C(sp
3)–H bond oxidation - gram-scale synthesis
