Photocatalytic Oxidative C-H Thiolation: Synthesis of Benzothiazoles and Sulfenylated Indoles

We report studies on the photocatalytic formation of C-S bonds to form benzothiazoles via an intramolecular cyclization and sulfenylated indoles via an intermolecular reaction. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and density functional theory studies suggest that benzothiazole formation proceeds via a mechanism that involves an electrophilic sulfur radical, while the indole sulfenylation likely proceeds via a nucleophilic sulfur radical adding into a radical cationic indole. These conditions were successfully extended to several thiobenzamides and indole substrates.