Harnessing visible-light energy for unbiased organic photoelectrocatalysis: synthesis of N-bearing fused rings

Abstract

In this research, we realized the conversion of visible light to electrical energy and C–H activation by the synergistic catalytic effect of visible-light and photoelectric current. An atom-economical and environment-friendly self-biasing interfacial photo-electrocatalytic method for cascade C–H activation/cyclization is provided to construct N-containing fused ring compounds using an m-BiVO₄ film as a photoanode. There are obvious advantages of this transformation due to no external bias and a small overpotential, saving electrical energy and avoiding excessive oxidation of malononitrile to achieve better chemical reactivity and selectivity. Meanwhile, the recovered photoanode could be used more than ten times.