Herein, we describe a waterborne polymer/carbon dot nanocomposite system as an efficient, resourceful and sustainable photocatalyst for para-selective hydroxylation of substituted aromatic compounds using H₂O₂ under UV light. The polymer matrix and carbon dot generate a synergistic catalytic system. A unique structural attribute of the functionalities in this catalytic system attracts the aromatic substrates into close proximity and activates them. Additionally, the flexible molecular box-like structure of the hyperbranched polymer provides the ability for favorable three-point interaction with several substrates having various sizes by means of their multiple force networks and the increased accessibility of the active sites. The catalyst can be stored on the bench top for months and is reusable without considerable loss in its activity. The reaction was exclusively selective toward para hydroxylation irrespective of the nature of the substituents (electron donating or electron withdrawing) in the aromatic hydrocarbons. Hence, it is one of the most promising catalysts for selective hydroxylation of substituted aromatic hydrocarbons.

中文翻译：

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一种在紫外线下取代芳烃独家对羟基化的有前途的催化剂

在此，我们将水性聚合物/碳点纳米复合材料系统描述为一种高效，资源丰富且可持续的光催化剂，用于使用H ₂ O ₂对取代的芳族化合物进行对位选择性羟基化在紫外线下。聚合物基质和碳点产生协同催化系统。在该催化体系中，功能的独特结构属性吸引了芳香族底物并使其紧密活化。另外，超支化聚合物的柔性分子盒状结构通过其多作用力网络和增加的活性位点提供了与具有各种尺寸的几种底物进行有利的三点相互作用的能力。该催化剂可以在台式机上存放数月，并且可以重复使用而不会损失其活性。该反应仅对对位具有选择性羟基化与芳烃中取代基的性质无关（给电子或吸电子）。因此，它是取代芳烃选择性羟基化的最有前途的催化剂之一。