Green Protocol For Synthesis of Cu2O@g‐C3N4 Photocatalysts For 1, 4 Radical Oxidative Addition of Trans Crotonaldehyde Under Visible Light Condition

Abstract

Using visible light conditions, we have developed a green protocol to prepare copper oxide‐doped graphitic carbon nitride (Cu2O@g‐C3N4) photocatalysts with varied ratios of g‐C3N4 nanosheets to copper oxide‐dopant (0.1%, 0.5%, 0.7%, and 5% respectively) and characterized through various physicochemical techniques. These photo‐responsive catalysts were used for the 1,4 radical oxidative addition of trans crotonaldehyde into β‐hydroxybutyric acid (BA) as a major product, utilizing 30% hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) source. Under the innoculous eco‐friendly stipulations, Cu2O@g‐C3N4 (5%) exclusively promoted the aforementioned reaction leading to 99.85% trans crotonaldehyde conversion with 67.57%, 24.1%, and 9.1% selectivity for β‐hydroxybutyric acid, crotonic acid and subsequent radical synthesis, respectively.