Deuteration Degree Controllable Synthesis of Aryl Deuteromethyl Ethers Through Dual photoredox and Thiol Catalysis

Herein, we report a facile and efficient deuteration degree controllable method for the preparation of aryl deuteromethyl ethers through dual photoredox and thiol catalysis using phenols as the starting materials and inexpensive D₂O and CDCl₃ as the deuterium sources. All aryl d₁, d₂, and d₃ deuteromethyl ethers can be precisely prepared with good to excellent yields and deuteration ratios. The reaction operates under mild conditions without the need for high temperatures or high loading of transition metal catalysts, and a wide range of functional groups are well tolerated.