The selective aerobic oxidation of sulfides into sulfoxides on TiO2 under visible-light irradiation was accomplished through synergistic catalysis with triethylamine.
Here, it is discovered that titanate (H2Ti3O7) nanotubes can confine the merger of erythrosin B (ErB) photocatalysis and TEMPO catalysis for highly selective aerobic oxidation of sulfides under irradiation of green light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
The assembly of TiO2 surface with 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid can give rise to an apparent red-shift of its absorption band, and subsequently engender the selective aerobic oxidation of sulfides triggered by visible light.