Photoredox Catalysis-Enabled Sulfination of Alcohols and Bromides.

Sulfinates are important lynchpin intermediates in pharmaceutical production; however, their synthesis via photoredox catalysis is challenging because of their facile oxidation. We herein disclose a photocatalytic strategy for the direct conversion of alcohols and alkyl bromides into alkyl sulfinates. These transformations are enabled by the utilization of easily oxidized radical precursors─namely, alcohol -heterocyclic carbene adducts and -adamantyl aminosupersilane─that facilitate efficient synthesis of the oxidatively labile sulfinate products.