Recent progress in C–S bond formation via electron donor–acceptor photoactivation

Abstract

Recent advancements in C–S bond formation via electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex photoactivation have been remarkable. EDA complexes, which are composed of electron donors and acceptors, facilitate C–S bond construction under mild conditions through single-electron transfer events upon visible light irradiation. This review highlights the utilization of various sulfur-containing substrates, including diacetoxybenzenesulfonyl (DABSO), sulfonic acids, sodium sulfinates, sulfonyl chlorides, and thiophenols, in EDA-promoted sulfonylation and thiolation reactions, covering the works published since 2017 to date. These reactions offer novel, environmentally friendly pathways for the synthesis of sulfur-containing compounds.