Visible-light induced direct C(sp3)–H bond disulfidation of saturated N-heterocycles through a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process†

Abstract

We report herein a direct disulfidation of N-α-C(sp³)–H bonds of saturated N-heterocycles, affording a wide range of disulfidation products in moderate to good yields. The method is enabled by merging visible-light photoredox and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) catalysis, exhibiting good functional group tolerance. Gram scale transformation indicates the potential utility of this method in practical synthesis. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that hydrogen atom transfer is critical for the transformation.