Photochemical thiocarbonyl difluoride generation enables azetidine synthesis

The activation of amines into thiocarbamoyl fluorides (TCarbFs) provides access to valuable nitrogen-based functionalities. However, their broader use has been hindered by the reliance on harsh reagents and conditions. Here we report a photochemical method for in situ generation of thiocarbonyl difluoride (TCF) from N-trifluoromethylthiophthalimide (Phth–SCF₃) using visible light and organic reductants. This strategy allows the synthesis of structurally complex azetidines from strained azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes (ABBs). TCF-mediated ring opening followed by semipinacol rearrangement or nucleophilic additions enables direct access to spiro- and fluorinated TCarbF-azetidines in a single step. Mechanistic studies support a single-electron reduction pathway and rationalize the impact of the photocatalyst on the observed selectivity. The discovery offers a general platform for amine activation and addresses a long-standing gap in azetidine functionalization. The activation of amines into thiocarbamoyl fluorides provides access to valuable nitrogen-based functionalities. Here, the authors report a mild, photochemical method for in-situ generation of thiocarbonyl difluoride from N-trifluoromethylthiophthalimide using visible light and organic reductants, and apply this strategy to the synthesis of azetidines from strained azabicyclo[1.1.0]butanes.