Visible-light-mediated C–F bond cleavage for the synthesis of polyfluorinated compounds

Abstract

Herein, we describe a novel and efficient photo-redox catalytic difluorinated ester radical addition/defluoroalkylation coupling reaction between trifluoroacetic acid derivatives and α-trifluoromethyl alkenes. A series of polyfluorinated compounds were synthesized by the selective cleavage of the single C–F bond in the trifluoromethyl (CF₃) group enabled by the spin-center shift (SCS). The reaction is characterized by wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance.