Improved Effect of Metal Coordination on Molecular Oxygen Activation for Selective Aerobic Photooxidation.

A pyridinium‐based complex with environment‐friendly and earth‐abundant ZnII ion was synthesized and explored as a green catalyst applied in activating molecular oxygen for the simple and efficient photooxidation of alcohols into aldehydes under additive‐free and mild conditions. The metal coordination was conducive to promoting the electron transfer efficiency and introducing the heavy‐atom effect for the increased generation of ⋅O2− and 1O2. Accordingly, improved photocatalytic performance of this complex compared to its precursor, no matter activity or selectivity, was obtained, facilitating the transformation of alcohols into aldehydes in a sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]