Visible Light-Driven, Gold(I)-Catalyzed Preparation of Symmetrical (Hetero)biaryls by Homocoupling of Arylazo Sulfones.

The preparation of symmetrical (hetero)biaryls via arylazo sulfones has been successfully carried out upon visible light irradiation in the presence of PPh 3 AuCl as the catalyst. The present protocol led to the efficient synthesis of a wide range of target compounds in an organic-aqueous solvent under photocatalyst-free conditions.