The photocatalyst-free electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex photochemistry was deemed to expand the potential of photodriven radical chemistry. Here, we report a cross-coupling reaction of thianthrenium salt functionalized arenes and sodium sulfinates via a photopromoted single electron transfer (SET) process of an EDA complex. A series of biarylsulfones were obtained with high site-selectivity and reactivity. This mild and practical radical reaction could be applied on the bioactive and DNA-encoded molecules.

No abstract