Forming C-O bonds by combining carboxylic acids and alkyl halides with the assistance of a Ni single-atom catalyst under light exposure.
Photo Source: Vilé et al., Nat. Synth 2023, 2, 1092-1103
The coming together of catalysis and light-driven methods signals the start of a new phase in sustainable synthesis. Researchers created an innovative catalyst activated by sunlight, reducing the need forv scarce metals and improving the effectiveness of esterification reactions, which are vital for producing products such as medicines and polymers. Nature Synthesis.
Led by Professor Gianvito Vilé, the Polytechnic University of Milan made a significant stride towards sustainable chemical synthesis. Their work, published in Nature Synthesis (Nat Synth 2023, 2, 1092-1103), fosters efficient and eco-friendly chemical creation.
Creating C-O bonds through the light-induced combination of carboxylic acids and alkyl halides with a Ni single-atom catalyst introduces a fresh and eco-friendly method, providing simplified routes for forming important bonds under visible light.
They discuss the combination of photoredox and metallic single-atom catalysis to couple alkyl halides and carboxylic acids, using a Ni atom-supported carbon nitride material. This system, utilizing only Earth-abundant components, is straightforward to operate and shows a broad tolerance for different functional groups. Moreover, it is particularly attractive for industrial use due to its fast reaction times, easy recovery, and stable catalyst performance. Unlike dual photoredox catalysis with expensive metals like iridium, this newly revealed method for the C–O cross-coupling of carboxylic acids and alkyl halides employs a photocatalytic approach with a Ni single-atom carbon nitride catalyst.
This innovative catalyst marks a breakthrough by minimizing the reliance on scarce metals, marking a pivotal move towards conserving vital resources and enhancing sustainability in processes. Furthermore, its activation by sunlight eliminates the requirement for energy-intensive approaches, offering significant potential in decreasing reliance on finite resources and lessening the environmental footprint of catalytic processes.
-Anurodh Sigdel
Ankuram Academy (2023)
