Visible-Light-Activated Nickel Thiolates for C–S Couplings

Thiolates are known as the inhibitors of metal catalysis due to their strong coordination with the metal. Herein, we reported visible-light-induced homolysis of the Ni–S bond to activate the nickel­(II) thiolates for the C–S coupling, obviating the use of exogenous photocatalysts and other additives. Various aryl bromides/iodides can efficiently couple with thiols with a wide range of functional groups under mild conditions. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggested the homolysis of the Ni–S bond is the key step for couplings and nickel(0) is not involved in the process.