Visible-light-induced and EDA complex-driven multicomponent reaction: a strategy for the synthesis of α-CF₃-β-phosphorodithioate tertiary alcohols

A green and efficient synthetic strategy has been developed for the construction of α-trifluoromethyl-β-phosphorodithioate tertiary alcohols from trifluoromethyl alkenes, O₂, P₄S₁₀, and alcohols via a visible-light-promoted, electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex-driven four-component reaction. This reaction proceeds at room temperature under photocatalyst-free, metal-free, and additive-free conditions. The reaction features simple operation, mild reaction conditions, and excellent compatibility with various functional groups. In addition, air (O₂) serves as a sustainable oxygen source in this reaction, facilitating the modification of bioactive molecules. Detailed experimental studies and theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the reaction likely proceeds via an EDA complex-mediated radical pathway.