Recyclable Copper Indium Sulfide Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic Homocoupling of Arenediazonium Tetrafluoroborates

Abstract

Copper indium sulfide quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by a solvothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray techniques. The as-prepared CuInS2 QDs display excellent photocatalytic activity in the visible-light-driven homocoupling of arenediazonium tetrafluoroborates at room temperature. Various symmetrical biaryls were obtained in γ-valerolactone (GVL) in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions. In addition, the photocatalyst, CuInS2 QDs, is stable in the catalytic process and can be recycled at least five times without significant losing of its catalytic efficiency