Synthesis, crystallographic characterization of a novel iron porphyrinate and its application as a photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation

A new porphyrin with a (phenylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid group (compound A) and its iron(III) complex [Fe(A)] were successfully synthesized. The crystal structure of [Fe(A)] was characterized by X-ray crystallography, which shows a dimeric structure through iron-carboxlate coordination bonds. By using methylene blue (MB) dye as a model pollutant, we studied the photocatalytic activity of [Fe(A)] under visible light. The system of [Fe(A)]/H2O2 exhibited high efficiency for the photodegradation of MB in water. Moreover, the recycling experiments confirmed the stability and reutilization of the catalyst.