A visible-light-promoted, electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex enabled hydroxysulfenylation of styrenes has been developed with eco-friendly air (O2) as the oxygen source and green ethanol as the sole solvent. This approach provides a novel strategy toward the synthesis of β-hydroxysulfides in good yields with high regioselectivity at ambient temperature and does not require the use of any external photocatalysts and transition metals. The reaction exhibits simple operation, mild reaction conditions, high atom economy and good functional group compatibility.
