Photocatalytic Synthesis and Functionalization of Sulfones, Sulfonamides and Sulfoximines

Sulfur(VI)-based functional groups are popular scaffolds in a wide variety of research fields including synthetic and medicinal chemistry, as well as chemical biology. The growing interest in sulfur(VI)-containing molecules has motivated the scientific community to explore new methods to synthesize and modify them. Here, photocatalysis plays a key role granting access to new types of reactivity under mild reaction conditions. In this Perspective, we present a selection of works reported in the last six years focused on the photocatalytic assembly and reactivity of sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfoximines. We addressed the key synthetic intermediates for each transformation, while discussing limitations and strength points of the protocols. Future directions of the field are finally presented.Photocatalysis has encouraged chemists to discover new synthetic transformations in a more effective, mild, and safe manner. This Perspective critically analyses the most relevant photocatalytic strategies on the chemistry of sulfur (VI) compounds, with particular emphasis on sulfones, sulfonamides, and sulfoximines. Based on selected examples, future directions within the field are presented. Finally, open synthetic challenges along with possible future solutions are discussed. image