Selective C–S Bond Constructions Using Inorganic Sulfurs via Photoinduced Electron Donor–Acceptor Activation

Abstract

By complementing traditional transition metal catalysis, photoinduced catalysis has emerged as a versatile and sustainable way to achieve carbon–heteroatom bond formation. This work discloses a visible-light-induced reaction for the formation of a C–S bond from aryl halides and inorganic sulfuration agents via electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex photocatalysis. Divergent formations of organic sulfide and disulfide have been demonstrated under mild conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that visible-light-induced intracomplex charge transfer within the monosulfide-anion-containing EDA complex permits the C–S bond construction reactivity.