Anthraquinones are recognized as high efficiency photocatalysts which can perform various redox reactions in aqueous or organic phases. We have experimentally proven that 2-BrAQ can undergo hydrogen transfer with an alpha-aromatic alcohol under light conditions, thereby efficiently oxidizing the aromatic alcohol to the corresponding product. The yield of 1-phenethanol to acetophenone can reach more than 96%. In subsequent catalyst screening experiments, it was found that the electronegativity of the substituent at the 2 position of the anthraquinone ring and the acidity of the solvent affect the photocatalytic activity of anthraquinones. After using various aromatic alcohol substrates, 2-BrAQ showed good conversion and selectivity for most aromatic alcohols, but showed C–C bond cleavage and low selectivity with non-α-position aromatic alcohols. In order to explore the mechanism of the redox reaction of 2-BrAQ in acetonitrile solution, the corresponding free radical reaction pathway was proposed and verified by density functional theory (DFT). Focusing on calculations for 2-BrAQ during the reaction and the first-step hydrogen transfer reaction between the 2-BrAQ triplet molecule and the 1-phenylethanol molecule, we recognized the changes that occurred during the reaction and thus have a deeper understanding of the redox reaction of anthraquinone compounds in organic systems.

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2-溴蒽醌作为仲芳醇氧化的高效光催化剂：实验和 DFT 研究

蒽醌被认为是高效光催化剂，可以在水相或有机相中进行各种氧化还原反应。我们已经通过实验证明，2-BrAQ 可以在光照条件下与 α-芳香醇发生氢转移，从而有效地将芳香醇氧化成相应的产物。1-苯乙醇制苯乙酮的收率可达96%以上。在随后的催化剂筛选实验中，发现蒽醌环2位取代基的电负性和溶剂的酸性影响蒽醌类的光催化活性。在使用各种芳香醇底物后，2-BrAQ 对大多数芳香醇表现出良好的转化率和选择性，但对非 α 位芳香醇表现出 C-C 键断裂和低选择性。为了探索2-BrAQ在乙腈溶液中的氧化还原反应机理，提出了相应的自由基反应途径，并通过密度泛函理论（DFT）进行了验证。关注反应过程中 2-BrAQ 的计算以及 2-BrAQ 三重态分子与 1-苯基乙醇分子之间的第一步氢转移反应，我们认识到了反应过程中发生的变化，从而对氧化还原有了更深入的了解蒽醌化合物在有机体系中的反应。