Reversible Photothermal Homogenization of Fluorous Biphasic Systems with Perfluoroalkylated Nanographene

Fluorous biphasic systems use the temperature-sensitive miscibility of fluorinated materials in non-fluorous solutions as a means to control reaction systems and easily separate catalysts or other compounds from a mixture. We present perfluoroalkylated nanographene as a viable platform for photo-homogenization and recycling of fluorous-tagged catalysts. The photothermal properties of graphene materials, particularly in the near-infrared range, enable comparatively fast activation time and simplify the recycling of catalysts thanks to the easy separation of the solid fluorinated graphene phase from most solvents by centrifugation. A fluorinated phosphine catalyst was used in a modified, catalyst-regenerative Appel reaction as a model system. The catalyst could be successfully recovered and reused for at least 10 cycles with minimal loss of yield.