Open Air Organophotocatalyzed Ring-Closing Cascade Trifluoromethylation of Dienes inside a Supramolecular Gel

Mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is an efficient heterogeneous photocatalyst. We report a redox-neutral trifluoromethylation of dienes using g-C3N4 as a visible-light organophotocatalyst in a supramolecular gel platform under aerobic conditions. The gel medium suppresses oxygen diffusion, stabilizes intermediates, and enhances the photocatalytic efficiency, affording high yields. Using CF3SO2Na as the radical source, the reaction proceeds via radical addition and cyclization, producing trifluoromethylated saturated heterocycles with excellent chemo- and regioselectivity. Blue LED light (456 nm) drives oxidative and reductive electron transfer on g-C3N4. The method requires no metals, oxidants, or inert atmosphere, underscoring its sustainability.