Visible light-induced recyclable porous g-CN promoted one-pot alcohol oxidation-Wittig tandem reactions

Merging heterogeneous catalysis with one-pot tandem reactions serves as a key foundation for practical and sustainable chemistry. Herein, via rational design, porous graphite-phase carbon nitride (porous g-C 3 N 4 ) was facilely synthesized via a soft template method. Compared to bulk g-C 3 N 4 , the larger specific surface area, excellent visible light response capability, and faster electron-hole migration rate enable porous g-C 3 N 4 to exhibit outstanding catalytic performance in the visible light-induced one pot alcohol oxidation-Wittig tandem reactions. This protocol circumvents the use of expensive transition metal catalysts and toxic oxidizing agents, establishing a green and efficient system that facilitates the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated esters. Potentially, g-C 3 N 4 emerges as a promising alternative to noble metal photocatalysts, thereby broadening the horizons of photocatalysis. Recyclable g-C 3 N 4 catalyzed one-pot alcohol oxidation-Wittig tandem reactions were realized under the irradiation of blue LEDs and various α,β-unsaturated esters were facilely synthesized in good to excellent yields and moderate to good E / Z ratios.