NF3 for difluoroamination of tertiary lithium reagents

Abstract

Difluoroamino (NF₂) groups are highly valuable in functional materials—particularly energetic materials—yet efficient and general methods for their direct installation remain largely underdeveloped. Here, we report a mild and practical difluoroamination protocol using nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃), an inexpensive and bench-stable gas, as a NF₂ source for difluoroamination of tertiary organolithium reagents. This method delivers C–NF₂ bonds in high yields (up to 86%) and provides a scalable, safer alternative for incorporating NF₂ groups into complex molecular architectures.