Photochemical metal-free aerobic oxidation of thiols to disulfides†
Nikoleta Spiliopoulou,Christoforos G. Kokotos
Green Chemistry Pub Date : 12/09/2020 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D0GC03818K
Abstract

Thiol oxidation to disulfides is an area of great importance in organic synthesis, both for synthetic and biological purposes. Herein, we report a mild, inexpensive and green photochemical approach for the synthesis of both symmetrical and non-symmetrical disulfides, using metal-free and environmentally friendly conditions. Utilizing phenylglyoxylic acid as the photoinitiator, common household bulbs as the light source and a simple inorganic salt as the additive, a versatile oxidation of thiols leading to products in excellent yields is described.

Graphical abstract: Photochemical metal-free aerobic oxidation of thiols to disulfides