Visible-Light Photocatalytic Direct Arylation of Arenes Using Silver Iodide Nanoparticles Supported on Magnesium-Aluminium Layered Double Hydroxide

Abstract

Abstract The direct arylation of inactive arenes with aryl halides stands as a well-established and fundamental method in organic synthesis for synthesizing biaryls. However, current direct arylation methods suffer from the generation of substantial chemical waste, reliance on moisture-sensitive reagents, and harsh reaction conditions that involve using either organic acids or potent bases. Here we report a photocatalytic system based on AgI-decorated magnesium-aluminium-layered double hydroxide (MgAl-LDH), which operates effectively under visible light, eliminating the need for base or other additives. The alignment of energy levels between catalyst components and reactant enables the system to harness visible light or sunlight irradiation for the generation of aryl and •OH radicals from aryl iodides and MgAl-LDH surface, respectively, facilitating direct C-H arylation, producing only water and iodine as by-products. Furthermore, the surface hydroxyl groups of MgAl-LDH can be readily regenerated. Our discovery provides an efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to C-H arylation.