Formal fluorine atom transfer radical addition: silver-catalyzed carbofluorination of unactivated alkenes with ketones in aqueous solution

In this article, we report the first examples of carbofluorination of unactivated alkenes. Under catalysis by AgNO₃, the reactions of unactivated alkenes with Selectfluor reagent and active methylene compounds such as acetoacetates or 1,3-dicarbonyls in CH₂Cl₂–H₂O–HOAc solution afforded the corresponding three-component condensation products under mild conditions. Furthermore, with the promotion of NaOAc, the AgOAc-catalyzed carbofluorination of various unactivated alkenes with Selectfluor and acetone proceeded smoothly in aqueous solution at 50 °C. The carbofluorination was efficient and highly regioselective, and enjoyed a broad substrate scope and wide functional group compatibility. These formal fluorine atom transfer radical addition reactions provide a convenient entry to structurally divergent, polyfunctional organofluorine compounds as versatile synthetic intermediates.