The photoalkylation of nitroarenes with benzyl alcohols in one pot at room temperature and 1 atm N-2 was achieved over the Pd/H1.07Ti1.73O4 center dot H2O nanosheets. The sample shows efficient photocatalytic activity with high conversion of nitrobenzene (99%) and selectivity of secondary amine (85%). This flexible photocatalytic system is also applicable to other nitroarenes with high efficiency. Results of in situ FTIR, DRS, and in situ ESR revealed that the benzyl alcohol and nitrobenzene molecules can bind with the surface Lewis and Bronsted acid sites in the catalyst via the H-O center dot center dot center dot Ti and NO2 center dot center dot center dot-H-O-Ti species. The formation of surface coordination species results in not only the activation of reactant molecules via surface electron transfer, but also the expanded visible light absorption of the catalyst. Moreover, in situ ESR suggested that the surface coordination can also facilitate the formation of oxygen vacancies in catalysts, which can greatly promote the exposure of Lewis sites and enhance the activation of reactant molecules. Finally, a possible hydrogen transfer strategy over the sample is proposed on a molecular level. 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.