Photochemical oxidative coupling of thiols to disulfides using Bi quantum dots: Mild and efficient catalysis

Herein, we present an efficient synthesis method utilizing Bi quantum dots (QDs) as catalysts for the photochemical oxidative coupling of thiols to disulfides under mild conditions. The protocol offers low catalyst loading, simplicity in reaction setup as well as high efficiency. Aromatic thiols and aliphatic thiols are successfully transformed into disulfides with good to quantitative yields, demonstrating tolerance to various substituents and heterocycles. Additionally, the protocol extends to the synthesis of asymmetric disulfides and allows for gram-scale synthesis.