New Perspectives in Science Education

Organic chemistry forms a cornerstone of general chemistry, providing foundational knowledge for understanding chemical processes. Within this domain, aldehydes are an important precursor in numerous organic syntheses and exhibit broad application potential. Despite their significance, the synthetic pathways to aldehydes are often not deeply discussed in educational contexts, where traditional experiments such as the oxidation of primary alcohols with copper oxide, face practical limitations in school settings due to the toxicity of substances used, time-intensive and complex setups, and the low yields of products [1,2].

To address these challenges, this work introduces a simple and low-cost method for the photocatalytic synthesis of benzaldehydes from benzoic acid (Figure 1) [3]. Central to this approach is the use of polymeric carbon nitrides, a versatile class of organic nanomaterials, as photocatalysts to drive the reaction. As recently demonstrated by Petersen et al., these materials are not only low-cost to synthesize but also highly effective in hydrogen production [4]. Building on this foundation, the presented experiment expands the application of polymeric carbon nitrides to organic synthesis, showcasing their potential as innovative tools in modern chemistry.

Figure 1: Decarboxylative oxygenation of 4-Methoxyphenylacetic acid

This approach bridges the gap between traditional chemistry education and cutting-edge scientific advancements by integrating sustainable materials into the classroom. By doing so, it highlights a pathway to modernize experimental chemistry and inspire further exploration of nanomaterials in education and research.