Element recycling in arsoles

The incorporation of heteroatoms serves as a potent tool for the development of advanced materials, and arsenic (As) has recently become increasingly popular in the field of conjugated molecules. However, the potential toxicity of As-containing materials upon disposal remains a concern. In this study, we propose a chemical recycling approach for the As in arsoles. The oxidative ring-opening reaction of arsoles proceeds efficiently under ultraviolet irradiation, leading to the production of phenylarsonic acid, a precursor of arsoles. Graphical Abstract The recycling of elements from arsoles has been achieved. Singlet oxygen generated by the heavy-atom effect of the arsenic atom triggers an oxidative ring-opening reaction, producing phenylarsonic acid. The phenylarsonic acid obtained was recycled for the synthesis of arsoles.