Visible-light-induced photocatalytic benzene/cyclohexane cross-coupling utilizing a ligand-to-metal charge transfer benzene complex adsorbed on titanium oxides

The cross-coupling reaction of benzene and cyclohexane molecules proceeded selectively over Pd-modified titanium dioxide photocatalysts under visible light. A ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) complex of benzene adsorbed on titanium oxide was proposed as the key species for the selective formation of the cross-coupling product. High selectivity was achieved in the photocatalytic cross-coupling of benzene and cyclohexane by photoexcitation of a surface benzene complex.