Open Air Organophotocatalyzed Ring-Closing Cascade Trifluoromethylation of Dienes inside a Supramolecular Gel

Mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (<i>g</i>-C₃N₄) is an efficient heterogeneous photocatalyst. We report a redox-neutral trifluoromethylation of dienes using <i>g</i>-C₃N₄ as a visible-light organophotocatalyst in a supramolecular gel platform under aerobic conditions. The gel medium suppresses oxygen diffusion, stabilizes intermediates, and enhances the photocatalytic efficiency, affording high yields. Using CF₃SO₂Na as the radical source, the reaction proceeds via radical addition and cyclization, producing trifluoromethylated saturated heterocycles with excellent chemo- and regioselectivity. Blue LED light (456 nm) drives oxidative and reductive electron transfer on <i>g</i>-C₃N₄. The method requires no metals, oxidants, or inert atmosphere, underscoring its sustainability.