The synthetic versatility of fluoroiodomethane: recent applications as monofluoromethylation platform

Visible Light-Mediated Monofluoromethylation/Acylation of Olefins by Dual Organo-Catalysis

Monofluoromethyl (CH2F) motifs exhibit unique bioactivities and are considered privileged units in drug discovery. The radical monofluoromethylative difunctionalization of alkenes stands out as an appealing approach to access CH2F-containing compounds. However, this strategy remains largely underdeveloped, particularly under metal-free conditions. In this study, we report on visible light-mediated three-component monofluoromethylation/acylation of styrene derivatives employing NHC and organic photocatalyst dual catalysis. A diverse array of α-aryl-β-monofluoromethyl ketones was successfully synthesized with excellent functional group tolerance and selectivity. The mild and metal-free CH2F radical generation strategy from NaSO2CFH2 holds potential for further applications in fluoroalkyl radical chemistry.

Recent Advances in Monofluorinated Carbenes, Carbenoids, Ylides, and Related Species

The synthesis of monofluorinated compounds is of great interest because of the vast applications of organofluorine compounds. Recently, the introduction of monofluorocarbene synthons has emerged as an important strategy for the synthesis of fluorine-containing products. In contrast to direct fluorination, in which C-F bonds are formed, the use of monofluorinated carbenes and related reactive species involves C-C or C-X bond formation while delivering valuable fluorine atoms into the target structure. Owing to increased knowledge on carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bond formations, monofluorinated carbenes have enormous potential for the synthesis of organofluorine compounds, which, in our opinion, has not yet been fully exploited. This review summarizes the recent advances in the synthetic applications of monofluorinated carbenes, carbenoids, ylides, and related species.

Fluoroalkyl Sulfoximines for Versatile Photocatalytic Radical Fluoroalkylations

Fluoroalkyl sulfoximines, which serve as electron-accepting fluoroalkyl radical sources, are easy-to-handle, solid, and bench-stable chemicals. Fluoroalkyl radicals can be generated from sulfoximine reagents using strong one-electron injectors, such as a highly reducing photoredox catalyst in the excited state. Our group has developed photocatalytic radical di- and mono-fluoromethylation and α-monofluoroalkylation of olefins with the corresponding fluoroalkyl sulfoximines. In this personal account, appropriate combinations of fluoroalkyl sulfoximines and photoredox catalysts, leading to successful radical fluoroalkylation, have been discussed.

Merging Copper(I) Photoredox Catalysis and Iodine(III) Chemistry for the Oxy-monofluoromethylation of Alkenes

A simple process for the oxy-monofluoromethylation of alkenes is described. In combination with visible-light copper(I) photoredox catalysis, an easily accessible iodine(III) reagent containing monofluoroacetoxy ligands serves as a powerful source of a monofluoromethyl (CH₂ F) radical, enabling the step economical synthesis of γ-fluoro-acetates from a broad range of olefinic substrates under mild conditions. Applications to late-stage diversification of alkenes derived from complex molecules, amino acids and the synthesis of fluoromethylated heterocycles are also demonstrated.

Unlocking geminal fluorohaloalkanes in nucleophilic fluoroalkylation chemistry: generation and trapping of lithiumfluorocarbenoids enabled by flow microreactors

A direct nucleophilic monofluoroalkylation strategy leveraging on lithium fluorocarbenoids has been developed. Flow microreactor technology allows capitalization of the synthetic potential of these scarcely explored short-lived intermediates - namely 1-fluoro-2-phenylethyllithium, 1-fluoro-3-phenylpropyllithium, and 1-fluorononyllithium - generated through lithium/iodine exchange reaction. This robust protocol was employed to prepare new fluorinated products, adopting various classes of electrophiles. The inherent advantages of microreactor technology contribute to rendering this approach a new valuable tool for direct fluoroalkylation chemistry.