Photochemical Zincke-like Reactions Enabled the Expeditious Synthesis of 2-Polyene Sulfonylpyridines

A Ce-base-controlled and visible-light-induced approach enables the cleavage of NTf-pyridiniums into various 2-polyene sulfonylpyridines. This Zincke-like reaction involves the conversion of pyridines into electron-rich intermediates and subsequent regioselective electrophilic modification through the formation of an EDA complex, intermolecular single-electron transfer, radical coupling, and selective C2-N bond cleavage. In addition, the obtained 2-polyene sulfonylpyridine <b>2a</b> displays interesting photophysical properties.