The many faces of organosulfur compounds: photocatalysis, hydrogen-atom transfer, and electron donation in photochemical organic synthesis.

Authors

Xin-Meng Wu, Li-Jie Wang, Chaozhihui Cheng, Mu-Jia Luo, Ru-Chun Yang, Qiang Xiao

Published in

Chemical Society reviews. Oct 06, 2026. Epub Oct 06, 2026.

Abstract

Organosulfur compounds, including thiols, thiobenzoic acids, and arene thiolates, have emerged as versatile and sustainable catalysts in visible-light photochemistry. Their ability to serve as photocatalysts, hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) reagents, and electron donors enables direct photoexcitation to generate S-centered radicals that participate in single-electron transfer (SET) and HAT processes under mild, metal-free conditions. This review highlights recent advances (2013-2026) in the multifunctional roles of organosulfur compounds, with a focus on three distinct behaviors: (1) as photocatalysts enabling redox-neutral cross-couplings; (2) HAT catalysts for selective C-H and X-H bond functionalization; and (3) electron donors via EDA complex formation. Mechanistic insights and synthetic applications are discussed, with an emphasis on green chemistry principles such as catalyst-free conditions, low toxicity, and the use of visible light. The review concludes with an outlook on current limitations and future opportunities for sulfur-based photochemistry in sustainable synthesis.

PMID:
42834857
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Oct 2026.

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