Visible-Light-Promoted Aerobic Oxidative Hydroxylation of Arylboronic Acids in Water by Hydrophilic Organic Semiconductor

Abstract A green and sustainable catalytic system was developed based on perylenediimide (PDI) organic semiconductor for the aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of aryl boronic acids in aqueous solution with visible light. By using PDI-SN, a hydrophilic organic semiconductor, which can activate oxygen to produce superoxide radicals in aqueous solution, this reaction proceeds under ambient conditions: water as the solvent and air as the oxidant, giving various phenols as products with high yields. In contrast to methods using organic solvents, this novel process has the potential of green industrial application.