Cobalt-catalyzed decarboxylative difluoroalkylation of nitrophenylacetic acid salts

The selective installation of fluorine-containing groups into biologically relevant molecules has been used as a common strategy for the development of pharmaceutically active molecules. However, the selective incorporation of gem-difluoromethylene groups next to sterically demanding secondary and tertiary alkyl groups remains a challenge. Herein, we report the first cobalt-catalyzed regioselective difluoroalkylation of carboxylic acid salts. The reaction allows for the facile construction of various difluoroalkylated products in good yields tolerating a wide range of functionalities on either reaction partner. The potential of the method is illustrated by the late-stage functionalization of molecules of biological relevance. Mechanistic studies support the in situ formation of a cobalt(i) species and the intermediacy of difluoroalkyl radicals, thus suggesting a Co(i)/Co(ii)/Co(iii) catalytic cycle.

Visible-Light-Induced Cascade Cyclization of 1-Acryloyl-2-cyanoindole: Access of Difluoroalkylated Pyrrolo[1,2-a]indolediones

An effective method for accessing diverse difluoroalkylated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indolediones via visible-light-induced PhI(OAc)2-promoted cascade difluoroalkylation/cyclization reaction under mild conditions has been established. This method is noteworthy for its use of DMSO-H2O as a green medium at room temperature and avoidance of photocatalysts. The reactions are straightforward to execute and convenient to expand on, provide good to excellent yields, and have good functional group tolerance.

Synthesis of Difluoroarymethyl-Substituted Benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones under Mild Conditions

A highly efficient method for synthesis of difluoroarymethyl-substituted benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones using 2-arylbenzoimidazoles with α,α-difluorophenylacetic acid as reaction substrates has been developed through radical cascade cyclization. The advantage of this strategy lies in excellent functional group tolerance to generate the corresponding products in good yields under base- and metal-free conditions.

Visible-Light-Induced Difluoroalkylation of Alkenes and Alkynes with Fluoro-Containing Hypervalent Iodane (III) Reagents Under Photo-Catalyst-Free Conditions

A visible-light-induced difluoroalkylation of unactivated alkenes by fluoro-containing hypervalent iodine-based difluoroalkylation reagent was achieved for the first time under photo-catalyst-free conditions. Moreover, the same reaction conditions were applicable to the difluoroalkylation of alkynes to give the hydrodifluoroalkylation products in moderate to excellent yields. The readily available reagent, broad substrate scope, and photo-catalyst-free conditions make this protocol an efficient and environmental friendly method for the hydrodifluoroalkylation of alkenes and alkynes.

Direct benzylic C–H difluoroalkylation with difluoroenoxysilanes by transition metal-free photoredox catalysis

A visible light promoted direct benzylic C–H difluoroalkylation with difluoroenoxysilanes catalyzed by Na2-eosin Y via a HAT-ORPC pathway has been developed, providing an efficient and atom-economic method for production of α-benzyl-α,α-difluoroketones.

Difluoromethylation of Heterocycles via a Radical Process

Difluoromethylation is of prime importance for its applicability in functionalizing diverse fluorine-containing heterocycles, which are core moieties of various biologically and pharmacologically active ingredients. Due to their significant biological and...

Thermo-Induced Decarboxylative α-C(sp3)−H Fluoroalkylation of Glycine Derivatives with Fluorinated Peroxy Esters

A thermo-induced decarboxylative α-C(sp3)−H fluoroalkylation of glycine derivatives with fluorinated peroxy esters was described. This protocol features transition metal free, redox-neutral conditions, broad substrate scope and excellent functional group tolerance,...

State of knowledge in photoredox-catalysed direct difluoromethylation

The combination of visible light photoredox catalysis with direct difluoromethylation has allowed the synthesis of a large choice of CF2H-containing value-added molecules under very mild reaction conditions.

Boron-Catalyzed alfa-C-H Fluorination of Aryl Acetic Acids

The catalytic alfa-C-H fluorination of aryl acetic acid was achieved with good functional tolerance in the presence of a boron catalyst. A series of alfa-fluoro aryl acetic acids was obtained...

Organocatalytic difluorobenzylation of 1,2-diketones via mild cleavage of carbon–carbon bonds

Difluoroacetophenones (DFAPs) are developed as a class of novel and practical reagents for organocatalytic difluorobenzylation reactions.

Copper-mediated three-component synthesis of 2-trifluoromethyl benzimidazoles

A copper-mediated three-component reaction of o-iodoanilines, anilines, and ethyl trifluoropyruvate is reported. The transformation allows diverse scopes on both o-iodoanilines and anilines delivering various 2-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole products in moderate to good...

Recent advances in C-F bond activation of trifluoromethylated carbonyl compounds and derivatives

The selective activation of the inert C-F bonds is one of the most challenging topics in modern organic chemistry. Trifluoromethylketones represent a class of versatile building blocks, which are inexpensive...

Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative radical relay difluoroalkylation–carbocyclization: convenient access to CF2-containing quinolinones

A practical Ag-catalyzed formal decarboxylation and radical difluoroalkylation–carbocyclization–hydrolysis route is established to construct a series of structurally diverse CF2-containing N-heterocycles.