Metal‐Free Cercosporin‐Photocatalyzed C‐S Coupling for the Selective Synthesis of Aryl Sulfides under Mild Conditions

Abstract

Aryl sulfides are important motifs of bioactive molecules, which are generally synthesized by transition metal‐based coupling reactions under harsh conditions. Herein, we developed a new method that visible light along with cercosporin, produced by liquid fermentation and functioned as a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly photocatalyst, prompted the selective synthesis of aryl sulfides through C–S coupling of thiols and diazonium salts under mild conditions. Furthermore, this method can also be performed with a great conversion by the direct use of cercosporin‐containing fermentation supernatant as catalytic system without organic solvent extraction.