Supramolecular ensemble of aggregates of pentacenequinone derivative and cadmium NPs: A potential catalytic/photocatalytic system for direct C-H activation of quinones and azoles

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the utilization of in situ generated supramolecular ensemble of aggregates of pentacenequinone derivative 3 and cadmium nanoparticles (CdNPs) as an efficient catalytic system for (1) oxidant free, controlled and selective monofunctionalization and hetero/homo difunctionalization of 1,4‐benzoquinone by C−H activation at room temperature (2) photocatalytic C−H functionalization of azoles with bromoarenes and (3) C−H functionalization of benzothiazole with simple arenes in ecofriendly conditions under visible light irradiations. Thus, a range of C2‐arylated quinone and azole derivatives are synthesized from simple substrates using this newly developed catalytic/photocatalytic system under economic and ecofriendly conditions.