Nickel-catalyzed allylic defluorinative alkylation of trifluoromethyl alkenes with reductive decarboxylation of redox-active esters

Abstract

Herein, we report a nickel-catalyzed allylic defluorinative alkylation of trifluoromethyl alkenes through reductive decarboxylation of redox-active esters. The present reaction enables the preparation of functionalized gem-difluoroalkenes with the formation of sterically hindered C(sp³)–C(sp³) bonds under very mild reaction conditions, while tolerating many sensitive functional groups and requiring minimal substrate protection. Therefore, this method provides an efficient and convenient approach for late-stage modification of biologically interesting molecules.