ZnCoO@g-CN@Cu as a new and highly efficient heterogeneous photocatalyst for visible light-induced cyanation and Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions.

Conducting C-C cross-coupling reactions under convenient and mild conditions remains extremely challenging in traditional organic synthesis. In this study, ZnCoO@g-CN@Cu exhibited extraordinary photocatalytic performance as a new visible light harvesting heterogeneous copper-based photocatalyst in cyanation and Mizoroki-Heck visible-light-driven cross-coupling reactions at room temperature and in air. Surprisingly, by this method, the cyanation and Mizoroki-Heck cross-coupling reactions of various iodo-, bromo- and also the challenging chloroarenes with respectively K[Fe(CN)]·3HO and olefins produced promising results in a sustainable and mild media. The significant photocatalytic performance of ZnCoO@g-CN@Cu arises from the synergistic optical properties of ZnCoO, g-CN, and Cu. These components can enhance the charge carrier generation and considerably reduce the recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. No need to use heat or additives, applying an economical and benign light source, utilizing an environmentally compatible solvent, facile and low-cost photocatalytic approach, aerial conditions, high stability and convenient recyclability of the photocatalyst are the remarkable highlights of this methodology. Moreover, this platform exhibited the ability to be performed on a large scale, which is considered an important issue in industrial and pharmaceutical use. It is worth noting that this is the first time that a heterogeneous copper-based photocatalyst has been employed in visible light-promoted cyanation reactions of aryl halides.