EDOT‐Pyridine Based Dye as Metal‐Free Photoredox Catalyst for Diverse Organic Transformations

Abstract The development of efficient organic photocatalysts is highly important. By utilizing the structural characteristics of 3,4‐Diethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), we have designed a series of EDOT‐embedded organic dyes with donor‐acceptor structures. Our results demonstrate that EDOT‐2Py, with pyridine as a side arm, exhibits exceptional photocatalytic properties and facilitates five distinct organic transformations. Consequently, the synthesis of SCN‐functionalized chromones/indoles/multi‐substituted olefins, the photo‐oxidation of arylboronic acid, and oxidative coupling of benzylamine were effectively achieved. The EDOT‐2Py mediated photoredox system offers a mild, concise, and highly efficient approach for the synthesis of C−S bonds in significant molecular scaffolds. Preliminary mechanistic investigations confirm that the transformation for SCN‐functionalized chromones may involve energy transfer process. The present study also unveils novel prospects for the design and development of photocatalysts employing light‐responsive dyes derived from EDOT.