Photocatalytic Transformations of Sulfur-Based Organic Compounds

Organic sulfur compounds play significant roles in the life of modern humankind. There are many instances of the need to destroy or convert sulfur compounds into useful products. Photocatalytic reactions are capable of removing and transforming these compounds. High reactivity of sulfur compounds allows utilization of a variety of photocatalysts – heterogeneous like TiO₂ or other species, homogeneous, heterogeneous, or heterogenized. The transformations are mediated by electron transfer with generation of sulfur radical cations, energy transfer, or hydrogen atom transfer. Further reactions majorly comprise S-oxidation, α-C–H deprotonation, C–S bond cleavage, and polymerization. Reactions with photogenerated OH˙ radicals are also possible.