Vis/NIR light driven mild and clean synthesis of disulfides in the presence of Cu2(OH)PO4 under aerobic conditions

Abstract

A highly efficient one-pot strategy has been developed for the synthesis of disulfide in the presence of air under the irradiation of Vis/NIR light. Copper hydroxyphosphate (CHP) Cu₂(OH)PO₄, has been used as a Vis/NIR active photocatalyst. Disulfide forms on the surface of the catalyst by a radical mechanism. The protocol is useful for solvent free disulfide synthesis from a variety of thiols.