Switchable Bifunctional Bistate Reusable ZnO–Cu for Selective Oxidation and Reduction Reaction

Herein we disclosed the utilization of copper loaded zinc oxide (ZnO–Cu) for its stimuli (O2/light) responsive switchable performance between its reduced (S-1) and oxidized (S-2) state for two antagonistic reactions, namely oxidation of alkyl arenes/heteroarenes to aldehydes/ketones and reduction of nitro arenes/heteroarenes to corresponding amines. The two states of the catalyst showed its switchable performance as highly active and poorly active catalyst for oxidation and reduction, and both reactions could be turned “off” and “on” by changing the stimuli (light and O2/N2). The switching efficiency between the states and their relative reactivity were found to be consistent under variety of reaction conditions and remain unaltered irrespective of oxidation–reduction (or vice versa) sequence and substrates used in the reaction. The photo catalysts (S-1 and S-2) demonstrated good catalytic activity, multiple reusability, broad substrate scope, and reasonable functional group tolerance for both the reactions and probed its quality performance in a large-scale setup. The system was used in an assisted tandem catalysis setup for the synthesis of benzyl amines utilizing both oxidation and reduction reaction by stimuli responsive switching between the states of the catalyst.