Visible-light-driven photochemical activity of ternary Ag/AgBr/TiO2 nanotubes for oxidation C(sp3)–H and C(sp2)–H bonds

Abstract

The Ag/AgBr/TiO₂ ternary component nanotube as a heterogeneous photocatalyst was used for the solvent-free oxidation of the benzylic C(sp³)–H bond to the corresponding carbonyl compound or the solvent-controlled selective oxidative cleavage of the CC double bond of styrene to benzaldehyde under visible light at room temperature. A wide variety of carbonyl compounds were successfully synthesized through the developed photocatalytic process. Several advantages such as solvent-free conditions, sans additional oxidant, simple reaction, short reaction time, and easy separation of the product promote the reaction to be green. Moreover, the Ag/AgBr/TiO₂ nanotubes could be used several times without reduction in their photocatalytic activity.