ABSTRACT

Fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs), specified by feature sizes of <10 nm, have become a mystic newcomers in the world of nanoscience and attracted much focus of synthetic chemists since the last decade due to their esoteric physico-chemical features. Because of these magical characteristics, carbon dots-based catalytic systems have unlocked the gateway for eco-friendly, benign, and cost-effective next-generation platform for “Nanocatalysis and Photocatalysis” in organic synthesis. The introduction of CQDs in organic synthesis allows the designing new reactions or catalysis in which unique/unprecedented connection/disconnection of chemical bonds has been implemented for the construction of new molecular architectures. This critical review presents a comprehensive study of the catalytic and photocatalytic efficiency of CQDs in organic synthesis which has initiated a more sustainable strategy in to the catalysis field. By systematic summarization and categorization of various organic transformations such as coupling reactions, oxidation reactions, reduction reactions, condensation reactions, ring-opening reactions, epoxidation, C-H activation, etc., a clear picture of all available catalytic and photocatalytic strategies for CQDs are presented and their unique role in various catalytic approaches for specific reactions are discussed in detail. Catalytic aspects of CQDs in heterocyclic synthesis are also been reviewed. Finally, challenges and future aspects associated with the green catalytic efficiency of CQDs in organic synthesis are highlighted. Herein, this review summarizes the current investigations on CQDs for various organic transformations during last 10 years. We experience that the entire potential of CQDs in organic synthesis has yet to be fully explored in organic synthesis. We hope that this review is serving as a humble urge to encourage other organic chemists for further use of CQDs as a sustainable catalyst in organic synthesis.

摘要

特征尺寸<10 nm的荧光碳量子点（CQD）已成为纳米科学领域的神秘新秀，并因其深奥的物理化学特征而在过去十年中吸引了合成化学家的广泛关注。由于这些神奇的特性，基于碳点的催化系统为有机合成中生态友好、良性且具有成本效益的下一代“纳米催化和光催化”平台打开了大门。在有机合成中引入 CQD 可以设计新的反应或催化，其中实现了化学键的独特/前所未有的连接/断开，以构建新的分子结构。这篇批判性评论对 CQD 在有机合成中的催化和光催化效率进行了全面研究，为催化领域启动了更可持续的战略。通过对偶联反应、氧化反应、还原反应、缩合反应、开环反应、环氧化、CH活化等各种有机转化的系统总结和分类，清晰地展示了所有可用的CQD催化和光催化策略并详细讨论了它们在特定反应的各种催化方法中的独特作用。还对 CQD 在杂环合成中的催化方面进行了综述。最后，强调了与 CQD 在有机合成中的绿色催化效率相关的挑战和未来方面。在此处，本综述总结了过去 10 年来针对各种有机转化的 CQD 的最新研究。我们发现，CQD 在有机合成中的全部潜力尚未在有机合成中得到充分开发。我们希望这篇综述能够作为一种谦虚的动力，鼓励其他有机化学家进一步使用 CQD 作为有机合成中的可持续催化剂。