We reveal here a visible-light promoted phosphorylation of 2-isocyanoaryl thioethers for the first time with concomitant C(sp(3))-S bond cleavage and imidoyl C-S formation. Additionally, this method features the use of 3 mol% organic dye Rose Bengal as the photocatalyst without external transition-metal or peroxide oxidants, and provides a novel and environmentally friendly approach for the preparation of a variety of 2-phosphoryl benzothiazoles in moderate to good yields. (C) 2019 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.