Visible light photocatalytic selective oxidation of alcohols by rhodium@graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets as effective catalyst

In this work, we present the development of a novel photocatalyst system based on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets decorated with Rhodium, denoted as Rh/g-C₃N₄, in Selective Oxidation of alcohols. The graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets were synthesized from OAT (Oxi Amino Triazine) as a waste material which is a by-product of the melamine unit of North Khorasan Petrochemical Company. The rhodium precursors employed were 5-methyl-5-(2-pyridyl)-2,4-imidazolidenedione and K₃[RhCl₆], which formed Rh metallic nanoparticles on the surface of the g-C₃N₄ support. The Rh particles anchored on g-C₃N₄ are instrumental in enhancing the efficient separation of photogenerated charges and exhibit considerable absorption under the visible-light. More notably, Rh/g-C₃N₄ demonstrates performance that exceeds that of both bare g-C₃N₄ and thecomplex. This new class of heterogeneous photocatalysts demonstrates exceptional activity and selectivity in the oxidation of alcohols under visible light irradiation. A conversion rate of 88 % was achieved using the Rh/g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst after 120 min of visible light irradiation. These features make the developed g-C₃N₄-supported Rh particles a promising candidate for practical applications in organic synthesis. The produced catalyst was characterized using a variety of techniques.