Construction of C−S and C−Se Bonds from Unstrained Ketone Precursors under Photoredox Catalysis

A mild photoredox catalyzed construction of sulfides, disulfides, selenides, sulfoxides and sulfones from unstrained ketone precursors is introduced. Combination of this deacylative process with SN2 or coupling reactions provides novel and convenient modular strategies toward unsymmetrical or symmetric disulfides. Reactivity studies favor a bromine radical that initiates a HAT (Hydrogen Atom Transfer) from the aminal intermediate resulting in expulsion of a C‐centered radical that is intercepted to make C−S and C−Se bonds. Gram scale reactions, broad substrate scope and tolerance towards various functional groups render this method appealing for future applications in the synthesis of organosulfur and selenium complexes. A mild photocatalytic deacylative strategy employing unstrained methyl ketones as radical precursors has been developed to construct sulfides, disulfides, selenides, sulfoxides and sulfones. Combining this deacylative process with SN2 or coupling reactions provides novel and convenient modular approaches toward unsymmetrical or symmetrical disulfides.