Thiazolothiazole-based metal–organic frameworks for photocatalytic coupling of benzylamine and degradation of organic dyes

Abstract

Photocatalyzed organic transformations driven by visible light using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) under mild conditions offer an effective strategy to tackle the challenges of energy depletion and environmental pollution. However, achieving effective photocatalytic oxidation of benzylamine under sunlight in mild air conditions remains a significant challenge. Herein, we synthesized three structurally similar Cd-MOFs by incorporating thiazolothiazole derivatives into the frame materials. The photocatalytic performance of the three MOFs was examined, revealing that Cd-3 demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity. The broad light absorption range and suitable energy levels for photo-oxidation enable Cd-3 to exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for the oxidative coupling of amines to imines. Additionally, Cd-3 shows remarkable photocatalytic degradation of cationic dyes. This exceptional photocatalytic ability is attributed to the effective separation of electron–hole pairs in the catalyst upon sunlight irradiation, facilitating redox reactions that generate active species. Ultimately, this work expands the potential applications of MOFs based on thiazolothiazole derivatives for photocatalytic organic transformations and offers new insights into the versatile applications of MOFs.