Development of Electrophilic Radical Perfluoroalkylation of Electron-Deficient Olefins

Fluorinated organic compounds have attracted significant attention over the past few decades owing to their unique properties and versatility. An established method for the synthesis of fluorinated organic compounds involves radical perfluoroalkylation reactions towards double bonds. In this radical pathway, electrophilic perfluoroalkyl radicals exhibit excellent reactivity towards electron-rich olefins. Therefore, several splendid perfluoroalkylation reactions of electron-rich olefins have been reported. However, there are only a few examples of reaction involving electron-deficient olefins because of their poor electronic compatibility with perfluoroalkyl radicals. This review focuses on the reports that challenge this long-standing issue. Radical perfluoroalkylation/bifunctionalization reactions of electron-deficient olefins are described according to the radical generation methods.

Metal-free visible-light-induced hydroxy-perfluoroalkylation of conjugated olefins using enamine catalyst

We developed a simple and sustainable method for the hydroxy-perfluoroalkylation of electron-deficient conjugated olefins and styrenes. In this protcol, in situ generated enamine forms electron-donor-accepter (EDA) complexes with perfluoroalkyl iodide, and reaction proceed with visible-light irradiation. Tertiary amine also interacts with perfluoroalkyl iodide via halogen-bonding, promoting the perfluoroalkyl radical generation. This reaction does not require any transition-metal or photoredox catalyst, and gaseous oxygen is used as the green hydroxy source. Moreover, various commercially available substrates and perfluoroalkyl iodides were tolerated, affording the desired hydroxy-perfluoroalkylated products in good to moderate yields (>50 examples, up to 90%).

Eosin Y-Catalyzed Visible-Light-Induced Hydroperfluoroalkylation of Electron-Deficient Alkenes

The eosin Y-catalyzed hydroperfluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes is described herein. The reaction proceeded smoothly under visible light irradiation and selectively afforded a hydroperfluoroalkylated product. Various perfluoroalkyl bromides and electron-deficient olefins can be used in this reaction, and all chemicals required for this reaction are safe and readily available.

Organophotoredox-Catalyzed Reductive Tetrafluoroalkylation of Alkenes

A method for the hydroperfluoroalkylation of alkenes with 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane leading to tetrafluorinated bromides is described. The reaction is conveniently performed under blue light irradiation using an organic photocatalyst and ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. Primary products can be further functionalized via radical pathways affording various tetrafluorinated compounds.

Visible light-mediated difluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes

A method for the reductive difluoroalkylation of electron-deficient alkenes using 1,1-difluorinated iodides mediated by irradiation with blue light is described. The reaction involves radical addition of 1,1-difluorinated radicals at the double bond followed by hydrogen atom transfer from sodium cyanoborohydride.