Visible-Light-Induced para-Selective C(sp2)-H Difluoroalkylation of Diverse (Hetero)aromatic Carbonyls

Carbon-carbon bond formation using aromatics from biomass

The transition to a circular economy requires that we adapt currently used chemical processes to the structurally diverse and often highly oxygenated precursors that are accessible from biomass. In this review, we highlight different examples of carbon-carbon bond formation using aromatics derived from bio-based sources, reported during 2015-2024. Examples of sustainable biomass building blocks include heterocycles such as furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural, obtained from carbohydrates, as well as lignin-based aromatics such as vanillin and eugenol. These have subsequently been applied in a variety of different types of carbon-carbon bond formation, including more classical methods such as aldol condensation and Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions, but also employing transition metal catalysis, electrochemistry or photochemistry to create new C-C bonds.

Photo-induced difluoroalkylation/cyclization of alkyne ketones: a novel strategy to access difluoroalkyl thiofavones

A photo-induced electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex enabled tandem reaction of alkyne ketones via a radical difluoroalkylation/cyclization cascade sequence is reported. The EDA complex plays a key role, and the C-Br bond homolysis process may also be involved for this transformation. Varieties of difluoroalkyl-substituted thiofavones can be smoothly assembled in moderate to good yields under photocatalyst-, metal- and oxidant-free conditions, thus offering potential applications for pharmaceutical research.

Review and Theoretical Analysis of Fluorinated Radicals in Direct CAr-H Functionalization of (Hetero)arenes

We highlight key contributions in the field of direct radical CAr- H (hetero)aromatic functionalization involving fluorinated radicals. A compilation of Functional Group Transfer Reagents and their diverse activation mechanisms leading to the release of radicals are discussed. The substrate scope for each radical is analyzed and classified into three categories according to the electronic properties of the substrates. Density functional theory computational analysis provides insights into the chemical reactivity of several fluorinated radicals through their electrophilicity and nucleophilicity parameters. Theoretical analysis of their reduction potentials also highlights the remarkable correlation between electrophilicity and oxidizing ability. It is also established that highly fluorinated radicals (e.g. ⋅OCF3) are capable of engaging in single-electron transfer (SET) processes rather than radical addition, which is in good agreement with experimental literature data. A reactivity scale, based on activation barrier of addition of these radicals to benzene is also elaborated using the high accuracy DLPNO-(U)CCSD(T) method.

Photo-induced C(sp2)-H difluoroalkylation of anilines

A photoinduced protocol for the direct difluoroalkylation of C(sp2)-H bonds in anilines under catalyst-free reaction conditions is presented. This transformation is characterized by a wide substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, and operational simplicity, and could serve as an alternative tool to established methods for the synthesis of difluoroalkylated anilines. Mechanistic studies suggest the formation of an electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complex between anilines and difluoroalkyl bromides in this reaction.

Difluoroalkylation of Anilines via Photoinduced Methods

The development of sustainable and mild protocols for the fluoroalkylation of organic backbones is of current interest in chemical organic synthesis. Herein, we present operationally simple and practical transition-metal-free methods for the preparation of difluoroalkyl anilines. First, a visible-light organophotocatalytic system working via oxidative quenching is described, providing access to a wide range of difluoroalkyl anilines under mild conditions. In addition, the formation of an unprecedented electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex between anilines and ethyl difluoroiodoacetate is reported and exploited as an alternative, efficient, and straightforward strategy to prepare difluoroalkyl derivatives.

Copper-Catalyzed Difluoroalkylation Reaction

This review describes recent advances in copper-catalyzed difluoroalkylation reactions. The RCF₂ radical is generally proposed in the mechanism of these reactions. At present, various types of copper-catalyzed difluoroalkylation reactions have been realized. According to their characteristics, we classify these difluoroalkylation reactions into three types.

Electrochemical Oxidative C-H Arylation of Quinoxalin(on)es with Arylhydrazine Hydrochlorides under Mild Conditions

A practical and scalable protocol for electrochemical arylation of quinoxalin(on)es with arylhydrazine hydrochlorides under mild conditions has been developed. This method exhibits high efficiency, easy scalability, and broad functional group tolerance. Various quinoxalin(on)es and arylhydrazines underwent this transformation smoothly in an undivided cell, providing the corresponding aryl-substituted quinoxalin(on)es in moderate to good yields. A radical mechanism is involved in this arylation reaction.

Visible-Light-Induced para-Difluoroalkylation of Aniline Derivatives

Visible-light-induced, iridium catalyzed, para-selective C-H difluoroalkylation of aniline derivatives under mild reaction conditions is reported. Various substrates and bioactive compounds, such as precursors of vorinostat and chlorpropham, were all well tolerated. This protocol features a wide substrate scope, high regioselectivity, low catalyst usage, and operational simplicity.

Visible-Light-Induced Tandem Difluoroalkylated Spirocyclization of N-Arylpropiolamides: Access to C3-Difluoroacetylated Spiro[4,5]trienones

A visible-light-catalyzed difluoroacetylated spirocyclization of N-arylpropiolamides with ethyl bromodifluoroacetate as a CF2CO2Et radical precursor is described. This approach allows the formation of two carbon-carbon bonds and one carbon-oxygen bond in...

Recent Advances in Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Selective C–H Alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation Reactions of Aromatic Substrates

Fluorine is well-known as a very special element. Approximately 30% of agrochemicals and 20% of all drugs contain fluorine; most of those compounds have unique functions in biochemistry, pharmacy, and bioscience and those containing alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethyl functional groups often have irreplaceable roles. Therefore, the selective introduction of alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylated functional groups into various aromatic substrates has significant practical application. This review describes recent advances in selective alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of aromatic substrates by using different catalytic strategies (cyclometalated ruthenium complex, transient regulating and visible-light-induced strategies).

1 Introduction

2 para-C–H Alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of Aromatic Derivatives

2.1 Ruthenium Catalysis

2.2 Palladium Catalysis

2.3 Visible-Light Catalysis

2.4 Iron Catalysis

3 meta-C–H Alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of Aromatic Derivatives

3.1 Ruthenium Catalysis

3.2 Palladium Catalysis

4 The Influence of Transition Metals and Directing Groups on Site Selectivity of Alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation

4.1 The Influence of Directing Groups on the Site Selectivity of Alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation

4.2 The Influence of Transition Metals on the Site Selectivity of Alkoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation

5 Conclusions

Palladium-catalyzed remote para-C-H activation of arenes assisted by a recyclable pyridine-based template

Direct para-selective C-H functionalization of arenes remains a daunting challenge and is still significantly restricted to a few scaffolds. Herein, we report an unprecedented pyridine-based para-directing template (DT) assisted, Pd-catalyzed para-C-H alkenylation of three classes of arenes, i.e. phenylpropanoic acids, 2-phenyl benzoic acids and benzyl alcohols, with a series of alkenes including perfluoroalkenes. Notably, the pyridine-based para-DT could be easily synthesized and readily recycled under mild conditions. These results may find application in rapid construction of para-substituted arenes and stimulate the exploration of novel methods for para-C-H functionalization of arenes.

Electrochemically driven, cobalt–carbon bond-mediated direct intramolecular cyclic and acyclic perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes using X(CF2)4X

A proof-of-concept for synthetically challenging cyclic and acyclic perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes driven by the valence change of a cobalt catalyst with X(CF₂)₄X is demonstrated.

Promising reagents for difluoroalkylation

This review describes recent advances in difluoroalkylation reactions using different substrates.