Ultrathin triphenylamine–perylene diimide polymer with D–A structure for photocatalytic oxidation of N‐heterocycles using ambient air

Abstract An ultrathin porous triphenylamine–perylene diimide (PDI) polymer photocatalyst with photooxidative ability was prepared. Triphenylamine–PDI oxidizes 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline to 3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline with a yield of 84% and selectivity of 92% under the following conditions: room temperature, ambient air, aqueous solution and 420 nm irradiation. The yield was 62% higher than that of mesoporous g‐C₃N₄ and 72% higher than that of self‐assembled PDI. The high yield and enhanced catalytic activity of the triphenylamine–PDI were attributed to the introduction of the electron‐donating triphenylamine motif into PDI, thereby forming a donor–acceptor structure, which greatly promotes the separation of photogenerated charges. In addition, the triphenylamine–PDI with high crystallinity of was conducive to fast charge transport. Triphenylamine–PDI was also applicable to other N‐heterocyclic substrates. Moreover, using aqueous media and air as oxidant are consistent with green chemistry, and the photocatalyst can be recycled after the reaction.image