Direct C-H Thiolation for Selective Cross-Coupling of Arenes with Thiophenols via Aerobic Visible-Light Catalysis

An aerobic metal-free, visible-light-induced regioselective thiolation of phenols with thiophenols is reported. The cross-coupling protocol exhibits great functional group tolerance and high regioselectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal that the disulfide radical cation plays a crucial role in the visible-light catalysis of aerobic thiolation. Simply controlling the equivalent ratio of substrates enables the selective formation of sulfide or sulfoxide products with high activity in a one-pot reaction.

Automated summary

This study presents an aerobic metal-free, visible-light-induced regioselective thiolation of phenols with thiophenols, showing high functional group tolerance and selectivity. Mechanistic studies reveal the crucial role of disulfide radical cation in the visible-light catalysis of aerobic thiolation, allowing selective formation of sulfide or sulfoxide products with high activity in a one-pot reaction by controlling the equivalent ratio of substrates.