Visible-Light-Induced Radical Substitution of Unactivated Alkenes with β,β-Difluoroenol Sulfonates for the Synthesis of α,α-Difluoroketones
Abstract
Herein, we disclose a visible-light-induced radical substitution between alkylzirconium intermediates and β,β-difluoroenol sulfonates. In this protocol, alkylzirconium species are generated in situ from unactivated alkenes and undergo photolytic homolysis to furnish alkyl radicals, which subsequently add to β,β-difluoroenol sulfonates to deliver α,α-difluoroketones. This photocatalyst-free method proceeds under mild conditions, exhibits broad substrate scope, and is readily to scale up. Given these features, the strategy offers a practical platform for the synthesis and late-stage diversification of pharmaceutically relevant difluorinated motifs.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Fluorine in Organic Chemistry
Radical Photochemical Reactions
Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Organic Letters
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 1060–1064
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN