Green Solvent γ-Valerolactone (GVL) Facilitates Photocatalytic C-H Bond Activation.

Solvents can significantly influence chemical reactions in condensed phases. Their critical properties are increasingly recognized in various research domains such as organic synthesis and biomass valorization. However, in semiconductor photocatalysis, solvents are primarily viewed as mediums for dissolving and diffusing substances, with their potential beneficial effects on photocatalytic conversions often overlooked.

Zinc-indium-sulfide favors efficient C - H bond activation by concerted proton-coupled electron transfer.

C - H bond activation is a ubiquitous reaction that remains a major challenge in chemistry. Although semiconductor-based photocatalysis is promising, the C - H bond activation mechanism remains elusive. Herein, we report value-added coupling products from a wide variety of biomass and fossil-derived reagents, formed via C - H bond activation over zinc-indium-sulfides (Zn-In-S).