A series of zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4) were synthesized by solvothermal methods in different solvents. After characterizations, the ZnIn2S4 prepared in ethanol (i.e., ZIS-1) showed the highest photocurrent density. With the ZIS-1 as a photocatalyst, the direct C–H azolation of N-heterocycles including quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, quinazoline, and 2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-2-ones (32 examples) was realized in an air atmosphere under blue light (456 nm). More importantly, the microspherical photocatalyst ZIS-1 is stable in the catalytic process and can be used at least five times while the reactivity remains unchanged. In addition, this practical approach is also applicable to some other complex molecules of interest, such as ibuprofen and isoxepac.

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Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) could be prepared by the hydrothermal kettle method. Herein, the synthesized BiVO4-180 is demonstrated to be a versatile and stable heterogeneous photocatalyst for a series of C(sp2)–H functionalization reactions under visible light irradiation at ambient conditions. A series of functionalized compounds such as tetrahydroquinolines, 3-arylmethyl indoles, α-aryl α-amino acid esters, and sulfurized/selenized/thiocyanated heterocycles were successfully synthesized in good yields (>70 examples, including modification of drugs and peptides). The BiVO4 photocatalyst has the advantages of being recyclable, low-cost, air-tolerant, and high efficiency, which is the typical characteristic of overcoming the shortcomings of homogeneous catalysts.