Direct hydroxylation of arenes with O2 catalyzed by V@CN catalyst

A vanadium doped graphitic carbon nitride catalyst has been prepared and used for the direct hydroxylation of arenes with O2. Substituted arenes with electron-withdrawing groups such as CN, NO2, COOH, CF3, and COCH3 were oxygenated to the corresponding phenols in moderate yields. The catalyst also proved applicable for the hydroxylation of aromatic halides (F, Cl, and Br) with O2.

Graphical AbstractBenzenes with electron-withdrawing groups were oxygenated to the corresponding phenols in considerable yields, and the V@CN catalyst was also applicable for the hydroxylation of aromatic halides (F, Cl, and Br) with O2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide