A reductive Sandmeyer-type reaction for the synthesis of sulfoxides from anilines under photocatalysis†

A reductive Sandmeyer-type sulfinylation reaction of aryldiazonium salts with sodium sulfinates is reported. The reaction takes place under photocatalysis, generating a range of valuable sulfoxides via a radical substitution pathway. Aromatic amines can also be converted to the corresponding sulfoxides via in situ diazotization in a one-pot, two-step process. The late-stage sulfinylation of drug-based amines further demonstrated the practicality of this method.