Polyoxometalate-Supported Aminocatalyst for the Photocatalytic Direct Synthesis of Imines from Alkenes and Amines

Developing efficient photocatalysts for direct oxidative coupling of alkenes and amines with O2 under mild conditions is very significant. Herein, ZnW–PYI is well-designed by assembling a [PZnW11O39(H2O)]5– photooxidation catalyst and chiral aminocatalyst pyrrolidine-2-ylimidazole (PYI) via a coordination model. ZnW–PYI efficiently catalyzed the synthesis of imines from alkenes and amines using O2 as the oxidant through nucleophilic catalysis by employing pyrrolidine as an organocatalyst. Combining a polyoxometalate and PYI within one single framework is an effective approach not only for stabilization and heterogenization of the redox-active catalyst and aminocatalyst but also for realization of compatibility between the reaction intermediates and synergy of multiple catalytic cycles.