Wavelength-Selective C–C and C–N Bond Formation via Defect-Engineered ZnIn<sub>2</sub>S<sub>4</sub>
Xiaohui Leng, Xin Zhou, Lu Ma, Yonghua Du, Ouwen Peng, Zhongxin Chen, Jinhui Pan, Ming‐Yu Qi, Jianhui Zheng, Yi‐Jun Xu, Kian Ping Loh
Abstract
Visible light induced oxidative C–C and C–N coupling provides a milder alternative to the current synthetic strategies. However, the photochemical C–C coupling of benzylamine and chromoselective C–C/C–N conversion are not widely reported. Herein, we demonstrate that the introduction of indium vacancies in ZnIn 2 S 4 improves the catalytic activity for C–C coupling of benzylamine and imparts a strong chromoselectivity for C–C or C–N coupled products. A high C–C selectivity of ∼80% is achieved with a benzylamine conversion of ∼80%. Mechanistic studies unveil the switchable reaction routes between kinetically favored C–C coupling and thermodynamically favored C–N coupling under specific illumination conditions.