Synthetic developments on the preparation of thioethers via photocatalysis

The widespread applications of sulfur-containing molecules, especially thioethers, in drug synthesis and as important intermediates have garnered significant attention for these compounds. Initially, the formation of C–S bonds primarily relied on transition metal catalysis. However, in recent years, there has been remarkable progress in photocatalytic systems, making the construction of such chemical bonds through photocatalysis particularly attractive. This reaction often proceeds under mild conditions and allows for the highly regioselective construction of functionalized sulfones and thioethers. This article focuses on the photocatalytic preparation processes of various thioethers and systematically summarizes the reaction mechanisms involved.