Dual photoredox/copper-catalyzed selective difluoromethylthiolation of remote unactivated C(sp3)–H bonds at room temperature

Abstract

A photocatalysis/copper dual-catalyzed difluoromethylthiolation of remote unactivated C(sp³)–H bonds using N-fluorosulfonamides was reported. The combination of photoredox and copper catalysis led to mild reaction conditions with a broad substrate scope. Luminescence quenching experiments revealed that both N-fluorosulfonamides and the copper catalyst could quench the excited state of the Ru complex. Primary, secondary and tertiary C(sp³)–H bonds could be transformed, offering an efficient way to construct difluoromethylthio-bearing compounds.