α-Thioetherified carbonyl compounds widely exist in nature and various industries. They are important intermediates for the synthesis of heterocycles. The traditional synthesis methods of carbonyl thioethers usually need the pre- functionalization of substrates to convert them from nucleophiles to electrophiles. The synthesis methods are cumbersome and complex. Therefore, it is very important to explore a new thioetherification reaction of carbonyl compounds. The synthesis of thioether compounds by oxidative dehydrogenation coupling reaction of ketones and thiophenols under visible light was developed. In the photocatalytic system, without any metal, the reaction successfully realizes high atomic economy and wide substrate application range using cheap and easily available air as oxidant, and provides a simpler method for the direct construction of C—S bond.

Key words: photocatalysis, C—S bond construction, dehydrogenation coupling, thioether