FeVO4 nanoparticles for N-Alkylation of acetamides under blue light irradiation: Mechanistic insights and product characterization

[Display omitted] •The work focusses on the synthesis of FeVO4 nanoparticles.•FeVO4 nanoparticles were employed as photocatalyst for N-alkylation under blue LED light.•Good yield was observed with respect to various substrate scope.•Mechanistic pathway was identified using various trapping agents. This study aimed to synthesize FeVO4 nanoparticles using a wet-chemical approach. The nanoparticles were characterized and confirmed using various techniques. XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) confirmed the triclinic crystal system of the nanoparticles, and the crystallite size was calculated to be 33.5 nm. FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron) and HR-TEM (High- Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy) confirmed the spherical nature of FeVO4 with particle size of 41.8 nm. Further SAED (Selected Area Electron Diffraction) confirmed the crystallinity nature of the nanoparticles. Optical studies and EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) revealed their photocatalytic behavior. The pore volume and diameter of the FeVO4 nanoparticles were 0.024 and 2.102 nm, respectively. The obtained nanoparticles were employed as photocatalysts for the N-alkylation of N-phenyl and N-pyridinyl acetamides under blue LED light. The reaction progressed well in approximately 8–12 h with a yield of 60–90 %. The photocatalytic evaluation was optimized under various conditions and provided with mechanistic investigations. The novel N-alkylated analogues were verified by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. The present work explores a novel approach to N-alkylation using FeVO4 nanoparticles in an effective manner. This may lead to new advancements in FeVO4 based photocatalysts for numerous organic transformations.