Photoredox-Catalyzed Alkenylation of Benzylsulfonium Salts

Visible light-mediated radical alkenylation of benzylsulfonium salts was achieved by means of fac-Ir(ppy)₃ as a photocatalyst, giving allylbenzenes as products. A variety of functional groups, such as halogen, ester, and cyano, were well tolerated in this transformation. Starting benzylsulfonium salts could be readily prepared from benzyl alcohols by an acid-mediated substitution, increasing the synthetic utility of this transformation.