Photocatalytic Aerobic Oxidative Functionalization (PAOF) Reaction of Benzyl Alcohols by GO-MIL-100(Fe) Composite in Glycerol/K2CO3 Deep Eutectic Solvent

Abstract

Abstract An MIL-100 (Fe)/graphene oxide (GO) hybrid, a fairly-known composite, was made through a simple one-step procedure and played a highlighted role in the photo-induced oxidative functionalization of the benzylic C-H bond. To identify the given binary composite, various techniques were applied: FT-IR, P-XRD, SEM, Nitrogen absorption-desorption analysis, TGA, TEM, and UV-Visible DRS spectra. Proportions of GO used within the structure of the prepared composite differently ranged from low to high amount, and the most optimized ratio met at 38.5% of GO as the most efficient catalyst. Additionally, the reaction ran in Glycerol/K2CO3 (2:1) as the optimal solvent. The elemental roles of O2•− and H+ were supposed to be the major ones for running a tandem oxidation-Knoevenagel reaction. The heterogeneity and reusability of the catalyst were also examined, and confirmed after five successive runs.