Visible-Light-Driven Halogen-Bond-Assisted Direct Synthesis of Heteroaryl Thioethers Using Transition-Metal-Free One-Pot C–I Bond Formation/C–S Cross-Coupling Reaction

An efficient protocol for the synthesis of thioether directly from heteroarenes has been developed in the presence of visible light in a one-pot manner at room temperature. This method involves two sequential reactions in a single pot where the formation of the iodinated heteroarene is followed by a transition-metal-free C–S coupling reaction. A wide range of heteroarene and thiol partners (including aliphatic thiols) have been used for the synthesis of thioethers. NMR studies and DFT calculations revealed the presence of a halogen bond between the thiolate anion (halogen bond acceptor) and iodoheteroarene (halogen bond donor). This halogen bonded complex on photoexcitation facilitates the electron transfer from the thiolate anion to the iodoheteroarene at room temperature.