In this research, a novel nanocomposite with a tailored structure and desirable photocatalytic efficiency was developed by coating Cu2O nanostructures with 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (THPP). The resulting photocatalyst (Cu2O/THPP) was fabricated through a simple immobilization procedure in which Cu2O nanoparticles were anchored onto the surface of THPP. To investigate the interaction between the THPP molecules and the Cu2O nanoparticles, as well as to characterize the crystalline structure and morphological features of the material, UV–Vis, XRD, and TEM analytical techniques were employed. The photocatalytic performance of this nanocomposite was evaluated for the green synthesis of thioether and phenolic derivatives under visible-light irradiation and mild temperature conditions. The influence of several
reaction parameters—including solvent type, reactant ratio, light source, irradiation time, and catalyst loading—was examined to determine the optimal conditions. Finally, the obtained products, after separation under optimized conditions, were purified via chromatographic techniques and structurally confirmed using spectroscopic analyses and X-ray diffraction.
Findings: In this thesis, an innovative and efficient approach for the synthesis of thioether and phenolic derivatives is presented. The use of the THPP/Cu2O nanocomposite as a photocatalyst, in combination with elemental sulfur (S8),
enabled the facile sulfonation of enaminoones. Furthermore, the same photocatalyst, under white LED irradiation and ambient conditions, promoted the conversion of carboxylic acids and aldehydes into thioethers in high yields
through disulfide activation. Finally, the synthesis of phenols from aromatic boronic acids was successfully achieved under mild conditions and visible-light irradiation using this photocatalytic system, affording very good to excellent yields and demonstrating the efficiency and broad applicability of the method. Conclusions: The results