Nanoscopic [(NH <sub>4</sub> ) <sub>6</sub> V <sub>10</sub> O <sub>28</sub> .6H <sub>2</sub> O] <sub>n</sub> Where n = 27882–90189 Soft‐Oxometalates‐Based Photocatalyst for Conversion of Benzene to Phenol under Ambient Conditions
In a quest to find new routes for the functionalization of very strong C─H bonds, such as those found in benzene, we have reported nanoscopic soft-oxometalates-based photocatalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol by dioxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) in acetonitrile-water (1:1) solvent under visible light irradiation at room temperature using Eosin Y (EY) as a photosensitizer and (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>6</sub>V<sub>10</sub>O<sub>28</sub>.6H<sub>2</sub>O as the pre-catalyst. Studies reveal that photosensitizer Eosin Y (EY) transfers an electron to the catalyst V<sup>V</sup> <sub>10</sub>O<sub>28</sub> <sup>6-</sup> under visible light irradiation for in- situ generation of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> from O<sub>2,</sub> which is followed by efficient hydroxylation of benzene to phenol with a high turnover number of 156.8. The present study is a blueprint for efficient C─H activation via a synergistic combination of photocatalysis and vanadium catalysis, giving excellent yield and selectivity.
Authors
- Andrew C. Bates (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8102-8309)
- Debbie C. Crans (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7792-3450)
- Joyeeta Lodh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4793-1326)
- Kateryna Kostenkova (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0438-3830)
- Nidhi Kumari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0628-9987)
- Soumyajit Roy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4888-6117)
Institutions
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (IN)
- Colorado State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Chemistry - An Asian Journal
- Published
- 2025-06-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/asia.70120
- Primary Topic
- Polyoxometalates: Synthesis and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- California State University
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India