O-alkylation of phenols with dialkyl carbonates to ethers over layered double oxides (LDOs) catalyst under light irradiation is described. A base additive is not required when using the longer-chain diethyl carbonate as an alkylating agent owing to the sufficient basicity provided by LDOs. The synergism of substrate phenols molecules absorbing light to reach the first excited states with acid–base pairs of catalyst enhanced the interaction of reactant molecules with the surface of LDOs, simultaneously accelerating the cleavage of phenolic hydroxyl groups. A variety of phenols are tolerated in this system. This work reports a simple and environmentally benign catalytic process for the dehydrogenation of phenolic hydroxyl groups.

描述了在光照射下，在层状双氧化物（LDOs）催化剂上，苯酚与碳酸二烷基酯的O-烷基化为醚。当使用长链碳酸二乙酯作为烷基化剂时，由于LDO提供的足够的碱性，因此不需要碱添加剂。底物酚分子吸收光以达到酸基对催化剂的第一激发态的协同作用增强了反应物分子与LDO表面的相互作用，同时加速了酚羟基的裂解。该系统可耐受多种酚。这项工作报告了酚羟基脱氢的简单且对环境无害的催化过程。