Polythiophene-Encapsulated Bimetallic Au-Fe₃O₄Nano-Hybrid Materials: A Potential Tandem Photocatalytic System for Nondirected C(sp²)–H Activation for the Synthesis of Quinoline Carboxylates

Abstract

Hetero-oligophenylene derivative 3 appended with thiophene moieties has been designed and synthesized which undergoes aggregation to form J-type fluorescent aggregates in in H2O/THF (7/3) media. These aggregates served as reactors for the preparation of bimetallic Au-Fe3O4 NPs. During the reduction process, aggregates of derivative 3 were oxidized to the polythiophene species 4. Interestingly, the polythiophene species 4, having a fibrous morphology, served as a shape- and morphology-directed template for assembly of bimetallic Au-Fe3O4 NPs in a flower-like arrangement. Furthermore, polythiophene-encapsulated bimetallic 4:Au-Fe3O4 nanohybrid materials served as an efficient and recyclable catalytic system for C(sp2)–H bond activation of unprotected electron-rich anilines for the construction of synthetically versatile quinoline carboxylates via C–H activation, carbonylation, and subsequent annulation under mild and eco-friendly conditions (aqueous media, room temperature, visible-light irradiation, and aerial conditions).