A supramolecular naphthalenediimide radical anion through host-guest interactions for photooxidation of alkylarenes to carbonyls

A supramolecular naphthalenediimide radical anion was developed through host-guest interactions between NDI and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), which can be greatly promoted in the presence of chloride ions to obtain Cl&z.rad; and NDI-2CB[7]&z.rad; − . Under the synergistic action of Cl&z.rad; as a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) agent and NDI-2CB[7]&z.rad; − transferring electrons to O 2 to produce O 2 &z.rad; − , the photocatalytic oxidation reactions of alkylarenes to carbonyls can be realized with universal applicability. A supramolecular naphthalenediimide radical anion was developed through host-guest interactions between NDI and cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), which can be greatly promoted in the presence of chloride ions to obtain Cl&z.rad; and NDI-2CB[7]&z.rad; − .