Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
![Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F60786.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Cercosporin-Photocatalyzed [4+1]- and [4+2]-Annulations of Azoalkenes Under Mild Conditions
Published on: July 17, 2020
Visible-Light-Promoted Radical Cascade Sulfone Alkylation/Cyclization of 2-Isocyanoaryl Thioethers Enabled by
Jiamei Shen1, Hui Li1, Yuan Li1
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pesticide Science and Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
Abstract:
A photo-induced cascade sulfone alkylation/cyclization of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers is explored. This visible-light-triggered reaction not only occurs under extremely mild reaction conditions but also does not require the presence of a photosensitizer. The photocatalytic process is triggered by the photochemical activity of in situ-generated electron donor-acceptor complexes, arising from the association of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers and α-iodosulfones. The radical pathway was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, radical trapping, Job's plot, and on/off irradiation experiments.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Radical Reactivity: Nucleophilic Radicals
Cycloaddition Reactions: MO Requirements for Photochemical Activation
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Cycloaddition Reactions: Overview
Radical Substitution: Allylic Bromination

![[DPEPhosbcpCu]PF6: A General and Broadly Applicable Copper-Based Photoredox Catalyst](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F59739.jpg&w=3840&q=50)