The iron-catalyzed selective hydrodeoxygenation and hydrodesulfurization of (thio)esters by hydrosilylation under blue light activation for access to (thio)ethers

The iron-catalyzed hydrodeoxygenation of <i>S</i>-alkyl thioesters and esters and desulfurisation of <i>O</i>-alkyl thioate derivatives using hydrosilane, leading to (thio)ethers, is described. A wide range of thioesters and esters gave the corresponding unsymmetrical thioethers and ethers under mild reaction conditions (ambient conditions, blue-light irradiation (2 × 24 W, <i>λ</i> = 450-460 nm)). Notably, the hydrodeoxygenation and hydrodesulfurization of thioesters leading to thioethers and ethers is unprecedented using iron catalysts.