Visible-light driven electron–donor–acceptor (EDA) complex-initiated synthesis of thio-functionalized pyridines

A visible/solar-light-induced electron-donor-acceptor (EDA)-aggregated/mediated radical cyclization between (E)-2-(1,3-diarylallylidene)malononitriles and thiophenols leads to poly-functionalized pyridines. The two reacting partners form an EDA complex that absorbs light and triggers the single-electron transfer (SET) to generate a thiol radical, which undergoes addition/cyclization with dicyanodiene through the formation of C-S and C-N bonds.