Catalysis Today, Vol.335, 128-135, 2019
Visible light photocatalytic aerobic oxidative synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines on dye-sensitized TiO2
A general visible light photocatalytic protocol for the synthesis of imines via a two-step one-pot route on alizarin red S (ARS)-sensitized TiO2 was uncovered. This efficient synthesis protocol involves one step of the highly selective formation of aldehydes from the oxidation of alcohols with O-2 on ARS-sensitized TiO2 photocatalyst, and a subsequent step of condensation of newly formed aldehydes with various amines on TiO2 to afford imines in one pot. Anatase TiO2 provides a versatile platform for catalytic amounts of ARS (0.67 mol%) to facilitate the electron transfer from dye traversing its conduction band to O-2 under green LED irradiation. Moreover, the Lewis acid sites of TiO2 can promote the formation of imines from aldehydes and amines in very high isolated yields. We took advantage of both the photocatalytic and catalytic properties of TiO2 to significantly expand the scope of imines. Our work suggests that the synthetic applications of TiO2 photocatalysis can be achievable under mild conditions by exploring the excellent functionalities of TiO2.