Bimetallic Porphyrin-Based Metal-Organic Framework as a Superior Photocatalyst for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

The meaningful and rational engineering of porphyrin-based catalysts with multimetallic active sites is very attractive toward photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water decomposition. Herein, three metal organic frameworks (MOFs) based on meso-tetrakis(4-carboxylphenyl)porphyrin (TCPP) were successfully constructed under solvothermal conditions. As a novel architectured photocatalyst (triclinic, C48H29N4O10PdYb), Pd/Yb-PMOF manifested diverse metal active sites, suitable bandgap positions, prominent visible light-collecting capacity, excellent carrier transfer efficiency, and obvious synergistic effect between ytterbium and palladium ions. Consequently, such a bimetallic MOF exhibited strengthened photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance. Concretely, its hydrogen generation efficiency was up to 3196.42 µmol g-1 h-1 with 2 wt % Pt as a cocatalyst under visible light illumination. Our work demonstrates a promising strategy for highly efficient visible-light catalysts based on bimetallic-trimmed porphyrin MOFs.

Copper-Catalyzed Monofluoroalkylation of Allyl Phosphates with Nucleophilic Ethyl 2-Fluoro-2-(trimethylsilyl)acetate.

An efficient method for C(sp3)-CHF bond formation was successfully developed by copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of allyl phosphate with 2-fluoro-2-(trimethylsilyl)acetate. Under moderate circumstances, the conversion was carried out in a good strategic range to provide a series of monofluoroalkylation products in high yields, which also demonstrates the practicality of gram-scale reactions.

3D Lanthanide Neodymium Porphyrin Metal-Organic Framework for Photocatalytic Oxidation of Styrene.

A novel three-dimensional lanthanide porphyrin-based MOF (Nd-PMOFs) was synthesized by using tetracarboxyphenyl porphyrin as the ligand and the lanthanide Nd as the coordination metal. Its specific crystal structure information was obtained by single-crystal diffraction with the space group C2/c and the empirical formula C72H45N6Nd2O15.25. This new Nd porphyrin-based MOF with an organic framework formed by a unique coordination method enables the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes under photoluminescence, giving it excellent photocatalytic property which could be verified by the characterization data. The photocatalytic performance was examined by taking tert-butyl hydroperoxide as the oxidant and Nd-PMOFs as the catalyst for photocatalytic oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde with 91.4% conversion and 81.2% benzaldehyde selectivity under optimal reactions, which surpasses most of the results reported in the literature. Several styrenes with other substituents were screened to explore the general applicability of Nd-PMOF for photocatalysis of styrene, among which Nd-PMOFs also exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance. This work offers the possibility to apply lanthanide organometallic frameworks, which are widely used in fluorescent materials, to photocatalysis. In addition, it also provides a new method for the catalytic generation of benzaldehyde from styrene that is consistent with the needs of modern green development.

Metal-Free Transformation of Sulfonyl Oxime Ethers with Amines to Oxime Ethers.

Sulfonyl oxime ethers undergo facile radical substitutions with various amines to yield the corresponding oxime ethers. An efficient arylation of sulfonyl oxime ethers was accomplished under ambient temperature and metal-free conditions, with a wide range of functional group tolerance. Mechanistic investigations indicate that a phenyl radical is involved in the catalytic cycle.

Cu(II)-Mediated Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylthiolation of α,ß-Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids.

A tunable method for the direct trifluoromethylthiolation of α,ß-unsaturated carboxylic acids was developed to afford trifluoromethylthiolated ketones or alkenes. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions and shows an excellent functional group tolerance.

Copper(i)-catalyzed ring-opening cyanation of cyclopropanols.

A copper(i)-catalyzed ring-opening cyanation of cyclopropanols was developed. The reaction provides an alternative method to achieve ß-cyano ketones efficiently. This reaction exhibits good functional group compatibility under mild conditions and can be scaled up to the gram scale. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction might go through a free radical process.

Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Ynones via Decarboxylative Alkynylation of α-Keto Acids under Mild Conditions.

A transition-metal-free synthetic method of various ynones via decarboxylative alkynylation of α-keto acids is described. The reaction is carried out under mild conditions and exhibits remarkable tolerance of functional groups. The mechanism of a radical process is proposed in the reaction.

Copper-catalysed ring-opening trifluoromethylation of cyclopropanols.

A copper-catalysed ring-opening trifluoromethylation reaction of cyclopropanols has been developed. Various ß-trifluoromethyl ketones are obtained in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. The present method also exhibits good functional-group compatibility. The mechanism of this new ring-opening trifluoromethylation reaction was investigated by radical trapping reactions.

Synergistic Photoredox and Iron Catalyzed 1,2-Thiosulfonylation of Alkenes with Thiophenols and Sulfonyl Chlorides.

Herein, a three-component 1,2-thiosulfonylation of alkenes with thiophenols and sulfonyl chlorides via synergistic photoredox and iron catalysis is described. Compared with previous studies, this protocol avoids tedious pre-synthesis of thiosulfonates and employs more readily accessible sulfonyl chlorides as a sulfonation reagent. Moreover, the reaction exhibits high compatibility with styrenes and unactivated alkenes as well as diverse sulfonyl chlorides, especially sulfamoyl chlorides. Preliminary mechanism investigations reveal that a radical pathway is involved in the catalytic cycle.

Cooperative Photoredox and N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis Suzuki-Miyaura-Type Reaction: Radical Coupling of Aroyl Fluorides and Alkyl Boronic Acids.

An intermolecular Suzuki-Miyaura-type reaction of benzoyl fluorides with alkyl boronic acids to synthetic ketone was revealed by cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) and photoredox catalysis. Various alkyl boric acids can be converted into alkyl radicals without external oxidants or activators. Moreover, the catalytic system was feasible for the difunctionalization of styrenes via a radical relay process. Mechanistic experiments suggested that the benzoate anion intermediate might play a unique role in this reaction system.

Visible-Light-Driven Porphyrin-Based Bimetallic Metal-Organic Frameworks for Selective Photoreduction of Nitro Compounds under Mild Conditions.

Selective reduction of nitroaromatics to the corresponding amines generally requires complex conditions, involving pressurized hydrogen, higher temperatures, or organic acids. In this work, we successfully prepared a series of porphyrin-based MOF photocatalysts (Pd-PMOFs, In-PMOFs, and In/Pd-PMOFs) via a facile solvothermal method for the efficient selective reduction of nitroaromatics to corresponding anilines with deionized water as the hydrogen donor. Being a new structured material (monoclinic, C52H40InN6O8Pd), on account of the abundant pore channels, strong light absorption capability, well-matched bandgap, as well as the coordination of indium ions and palladium ions, In/Pd-MOFs have excellent migration efficiency of photo-induced electrons and holes. Specifically, the In/Pd-PMOF photocatalyst manifested superior conversion (100%) and selectivity (≥80%) toward the screened nitro compounds under mild conditions. This work avoids the use of strong reductants, organic acids, and pressurized hydrogen gas as hydrogen sources, providing a promising concept for developing green catalytic systems.

Ketone Synthesis via Irradiation-Induced Generation of a Persistent Ketyl Radical from Acyl Azolium Salts.

A novel three-component α-acylated difunctionalization of alkenes strategy has been developed on the basis of a direct hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process of photoinduced acyl azolium salts. With simple irradiation without the catalyst, a variety of olefins can be directly converted into ketone derivatives, including 1,4-dione, ß-silyl ketone, 1,5-dione, etc. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the unique reactivity of the acyl azonium triplet excited state is crucial to the strategy's success.

Intermolecular 1,2-Difunctionalization of Terminal Alkynes to Access Trisubstituted Alkenes via Copper/Photoredox Dual Catalysis.

We report a copper metallaphotocatalytic 1,2-difunctionalization of terminal alkynes with N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHP) esters and readily available silyl reagents (TMSCN and TMSNCS) to access stereodefined trisubstituted alkenes, including (E)-alkenyl nitriles and thiocyanates. The reaction proceeds with excellent anti-stereoselectivity and demonstrates broad compatibility with a wide range of terminal alkynes and NHP esters as alkyl radical precursors. Experimental and computational studies have been performed to gain insight into the reaction mechanism.

Visible-Light-Mediated NHC and Tertiary Amine Catalysis Enabling α-H Acylation of Alkenes.

An intermolecular direct α-C-H acylation of alkenes was revealed by the visible-light-mediated N-heterocyclic carbene and quinuclidine catalysis. This convenient protocol provides a facile synthesis toward novel natural products and drug derivatives of α-substituted vinyl ketones. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the transformation proceeded via sequential radical addition, radical coupling, and an elimination process.

Chan-Lam-type S-arylation of thiols with boronic acids at room temperature.

In this work, an efficient CuSO(4)-catalyzed S-arylation of thiols with aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids at room temperature is established. This catalytic system can tolerate a wide variety of thiols and arylboronic acids in the presence of only 5 mol % of CuSO(4) as the catalyst and inexpensive 1,10-phen·H(2)O as the ligand. Moreover, this catalytic system used environment-friendly solvent (EtOH) and oxidant (oxygen).

Efficient recyclable CuI-nanoparticle-catalyzed S-arylation of thiols with aryl halides on water under mild conditions.

CuI nanoparticles efficiently catalyzed the C-S cross coupling of aryl and alkyl thiols with aryl halides in the absence of ligands on water under mild conditions. A wide range of diaryl sulfides and aryl alkyl sulfides are synthesized in good to excellent yields utilizing this protocol. This procedure is particularly noteworthy given its mild conditions, avoiding the undesired formation of disulfides through oxidation of thiols. The recovery and successful reutilization of the catalyst is described. Furthermore, the directed synthesis of bisarylated product is presented.

Cooperative NHC and Photoredox Catalysis for the Synthesis of 1,4-Dicarbonyl Compounds via Diacylation of Alkenes.

An intermolecular 1,2-diacylation of alkenes is disclosed via cooperative N-heterocyclic carbene and photoredox catalysis under the mediation of PPh3 and Cs2CO3. This protocol provides a practical approach for construction of 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds toward novel diketone and pharmaceutical derivatives. Furthermore, the regioselective dicarbonyl compounds can be synthesized by adding acyl azolium salt. Mechanistic investigations suggest that the process was a critical radical/radical cross coupling of ketyl radicals with benzylic C-radicals.

Regioselective Alkylpolyfluoroarylation of Styrenes by Copper-Catalyzed C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H Double Activation.

A novel dehydrogenative dicarbofunctionalization of vinyl arenes with polyfluoroarenes and unactivated alkanes enabled by copper catalysis has been accomplished under mild conditions. This transformation provides a regioselective route to highly functionalized polyfluoroaryl compounds that occur as structural scaffolds in a variety of pharmaceuticals and materials. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the carbon-based radical and copper intermediate are involved in the reaction, and the reaction pathway is dominated by the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of C(sp3)-H bonds.

CuI-nanoparticles-catalyzed selective synthesis of phenols, anilines, and thiophenols from aryl halides in aqueous solution.

CuI-nanoparticles-catalyzed selective synthesis of phenols, anilines, and thiophenols from aryl halides was developed in the absence of both ligands and organic solvents. Anilines were formed selectively with ammonia competing with hydroxylation and thiophenols were generated selectively with sulfur powder after subsequent reduction competing with hydroxylation and amination.