Visible-light assisted of nano Ni/g-C3N4 with efficient photocatalytic activity and stability for selective aerobic C−H activation and epoxidation

A selective, economical, and ecological protocol has been described for the oxidation of methyl arenes and their analogs to the corresponding carbonyl compounds and epoxidation reactions of alkenes with molecular oxygen (O2) or air as a green oxygen source, under mild reaction conditions. The nano Ni/g-C3N4 exhibited high photocatalytic activity, stability, and selectivity in the C−H activation of methyl arenes, methylene arenes, and epoxidation of various alkenes under visible- light irradiation without the use of an oxidizing agent and under base free conditions.