Selective Organic Transformations over Cadmium Sulfide-Based Photocatalysts

The development of efficient catalyst for photoredox-catalyzed selective organic synthesis has consitently been an attractive objective in recent years. Regarding semiconductor-based photocatalysts, cadmium sulfide (CdS) materials have received extensive consideration for various photoredox reactions because of their suitable band gap (about 2.4 eV) for visible light response and well-matched band edge stations. In this paper, we begin with a concise discussion of the basic physical properties of CdS materials, including electronic band structures, optical properties, crystallographic structures, and phase transition. Then, the fundamental principles of photocatalytic organic transformations over CdS and the effect of different active species on the selective photoredox process are concisely summarized. In particular, we will highlight the photocatalytic selective organic synthesis application over various CdS-based photocatalysts, including selective reductions, oxidations, and valorization of lignin. Finally, the future perspectives and challenges in the development of efficient CdS-based photocatalytic system toward selective organic synthesis are discussed. It is anticipated that this timely overview of recent advances in selective organic synthesis over CdS-based materials would inspire the rational design of CdS or other semiconductor-based catalysts with ameliorated performances toward a variety of artificial photoredox-catalyzed selective organic transformations to value-added feedstocks and beyond.