Visible-light-induced radical switching using benzothiazolyl sulfides for geminal carbon–carbon bond formation

We propose a 2-benzothiazolylthio group as a novel auxiliary for radical switching. Using an acridinium-based photocatalyst, carbon radicals are generated from α-C-H bonds in sulfides, which are subsequently coupled with electron-deficient alkenes. This approach enables efficient access to γ,γ-disubstituted α-amino acid derivatives <i>via</i> two sequential photoredox reactions.