Photocatalytic defluoroalkylation of trifluoromethylaromatics with arylethylenes

Abstract

We present a novel fluorine atom transfer technique for the selective functionalization of robust C–F bonds in trifluoromethylated aromatic compounds. This approach employs neutral boron radicals to generate aryl difluoromethyl radicals through a C–F cleavage process. These radicals engage in highly effective intermolecular coupling with aryl alkenes throughout the defluoroalkylation process. This mild, catalytic reaction system accommodates a diverse array of substrates, producing difluoroalkyl structures of medicinal importance with total regioselectivity.