g-C3N4 - Singlet Oxygen Made Easy for Organic Synthesis: Scope and Limitations

Oxidized g-C3N4 displays very good catalytic
performances in the generation of 1O2 under photochemical
conditions. The hetero-Diels−Alder and ene reactions were
conducted on a variety of dienes and alkenes showing a general
ability of oxidized g-C3N4 to promote chemoselective and
unselective oxidative processes in strong dependence from the
substrates. The results offer a good panorama of the ability of
this type of catalysts to be employed in organic reactions to
prepare valuable synthons that can be used in several valueadded
preparations. A fine-tuning of the oxidative properties
through further investigations on the synthesis of suitably
modified g-C3N4 will be of great importance in determining a
sustainable change in the approach to 1O2 generation methods,
allowing for greener ways to perform organic reactions.