Cs2AgBiBr6-photocatalyzed trifluoromethylation: insights into structural changes and applications in drug modification

Abstract

The development of new drugs involves complex processes of molecular design, drug screening, and clinical validation, where structural modifications play a crucial role. The trifluoromethyl (CF₃) group is significant in medicinal chemistry due to its high lipophilicity, excellent metabolic stability, and enhanced bioavailability. It has a wide range of applications in oncology, cardiovascular diseases and endocrine metabolic diseases. This study introduces a heterogeneous photocatalytic system using the double perovskite Cs₂AgBiBr₆ for various trifluoromethylation reactions. Unlike traditional homogeneous catalysts, this system allows for catalyst recovery and reuse through centrifugation, with the recovered material undergoing structural changes, while decomposition products such as BiBr₃ retain their catalytic activity. Operating under mild conditions, it provides a promising strategy for the post-modification of pharmaceutical and natural product molecules, facilitating the synthesis of diverse compounds and expanding organic synthesis methodologies.