Na₂ – Eosin Y – Photocatalyzed Cross Dehydrogenative C−S Coupling of Arylthiols with Indole Derivatives

Abstract Herein, we have accomplished a simple visible light mediated protocol for the cross dehydrogenative coupling of arylthiols with indoles in excellent yields. Eosin Y disodium salt is used as a photocatalyst for generating the arylsulfur radical under blue light irradiation as confirmed by the quenching, radical scavenging and EPR studies. Among the synthesized arylthioindoles, 5‐bromo‐3‐((4‐methoxyphenyl)thio)‐1H‐indole possess antibacterial properties. These 3‐arylthioindoles were further transformed into indolyl‐3‐arylsulfones and indolyl‐3‐arylsulfoxides, a potent class of non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type I.