Visible-Light-Induced Direct Thiolation at α-C(sp3)-H of Ethers with Disulfides Using Acridine Red as Photocatalyst

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of alpha-arylthioethers through a visible-light-induced direct thiolation at alpha-C(sp(3))-H of ethers with diaryl disulfides was developed using acridine red as a novel photocatalyst. The reactions occurred at ambient conditions and generated the corresponding products in good to excellent yields, ignoring steric effect of disulfides.