Covalent Functionalization of Carbon Nitride Frameworks through Cross-Coupling Reactions

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Organic Chemistry
• Photocatalysis

Background:

• Carbon nitride (CN) materials offer promising properties but often suffer from poor dispersibility.
• Functionalization is key to tuning the properties of CN frameworks for specific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a simple synthetic route for covalent functionalization of carbon nitride frameworks.
• To enhance the dispersibility and photocatalytic activity of CN materials.

Main Methods:

• Covalent functionalization of the CN framework using halogenated phenyl groups (Cl, Br, I).
• Suzuki and reductive-Heck cross-coupling reactions for substituting phenyl and tert-butyl propionate groups.
• Exfoliation of the modified CN framework into thinner layers.

Main Results:

• Successful covalent attachment of halogenated phenyl groups to the CN framework.
• Facile exfoliation of the functionalized CN into thinner, more dispersible layers.
• Significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to unmodified CN.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a general route for tailor-made design of dispersible CN materials.
• Functionalized CN materials exhibit improved photophysical and chemical properties.
• These materials hold potential for applications in photocatalysis, bio-imaging, sensing, and heterogeneous catalysis.