Visible-Light-Driven Desulfurization Reaction Using Partially Oxidized TiN Nanoparticles as Photocatalysts

Desulfurization represents an important process in chemical synthesis that produces new molecules and accesses useful carbon radicals. Photocatalytically driving the reactions under broadband visible light illumination is still challenging due to the high cost of noble metal complex photocatalysts and controlled inert atmospheres widely used in the reported methods. This work uses partially oxidized TiN nanoparticles comprising earth-abundant elements as photocatalysts to drive the desulfurization of methyl thioglycolate in the ambient atmosphere with a visible LED lamp. The yield of the desulfurization product, methyl acetate, is up to 73% after reaction for 18 h. The generation of accessible carbon radicals is confirmed by forming C–C coupling products with styrene. The results shed light on the promise of modified TiN nanoparticles, which possess strong broadband optical absorption originating from localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs), to facilitate chemical synthesis using light.