Tetralone Formation through Visible-Light-Driven Photocyclization of Aryl Sulfoxonium Ylides with Unactivated Alkenes

Herein, we report a visible-light-driven photoredox [4+2] cycloaddition of sulfoxonium ylides with alkenes for the modular assembly of value-added γ-substituted tetralone scaffolds under mild and metal-free conditions. This protocol exhibits an extremely broad functional group tolerance and good selectivity. Mechanistic investigations suggest the involvement of sulfoxonium ylide radical cations and the 1,4-hydride shift process in this photochemical system.