Photocatalyzed transfer hydrogenation and deuteriation of cyclic N -sulfonylimines

Water is without doubt the most low cost and environmentally benign hydrogen source. During our research towards the seeking of novel hydrogen sources, we have uncovered the photocatalyzed transfer hydrogenation of cyclic N -sulfonylimines by using water as the hydrogen source. By employing deuterium oxide instead of water, deuterium-labeled cyclic sultams were synthesized with high levels of deuterium incorporation in good to excellent yields.