Photoredox-mediated Synthesis of β-Hydroxydithioacetals from Terminal Alkynes

A single-step visible light mediated synthesis of α-hydroxydithioacetals via oxidative coupling of terminal alkynes with thiophenol is reported. Compared to other multistep strategies, this work presents a rare tandem introduction of disulfides and hydroxy group at the β-position in one pot. The reaction is enabled by aerial oxidation, features high efficiency, mild conditions and extendable to both aliphatic and aromatic alkynes.