A pyridinium-based complex with environment-friendly and earth-abundant ZnII ion was synthesized and explored as a green catalyst applied in activating molecular oxygen for the simple and efficient photooxidation of alcohols into aldehydes under additive-free and mild conditions. The metal coordination was conducive to promoting the electron transfer efficiency and introducing the heavy-atom effect for the increased generation of ⋅O2 - and 1 O2 . Accordingly, improved photocatalytic performance of this complex compared to its precursor, no matter activity or selectivity, was obtained, facilitating the transformation of alcohols into aldehydes in a sustainable way.
Keywords: aldehydes; metal coordination; photocatalysis; photooxidation; pyridinium.
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