Photocatalyst- and Transition-Metal-Free Light-Induced Formation of Carbon-Chalcogen Bonds

Photoinduced chemical transformations have become a promising aspect of organic synthesis. This review focuses on the recent advancements in harnessing photoinduced processes for the formation of carbon-chalcogen (C-O, C-S, C-Se, and C-Te) bonds under catalyst-free conditions. These pathways typically involve either a radical mechanism or the creation of electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes. The review explores the intricacies of the underlying mechanisms, discusses limitations, and evaluates the applicability of various methodologies in this field. Notably, photocatalyst and transition metal-free photochemical reactions offer effective alternatives to enhance sustainability in this research area. +image