Photoinduced benzylic C–H thiocyanation enabled by triphenylphosphine oxide and N-thiocyanophthalimide

Abstract

Herein, we report a mild, photoinduced benzylic C–H thiocyanation mediated by an electron donor–acceptor complex between triphenylphosphine oxide and N-thiocyanophthalimide. Utilizing triphenylphosphine oxide as the pivotal catalyst, this metal- and photocatalyst-free method affords benzyl thiocyanates under ambient conditions with broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance, enabling late-stage diversification.