Tricomponent Catalytic α,α-Difluorination of Acid Chlorides

The selective alpha,alpha-difluorination of carbonyl compounds remains a challenge in modern organic synthesis; current methods often incorporate stepwise processes and/or harsh conditions, providing unsatisfactory mixtures of mono- and difluorinated products. In this communication, a practical, mild, and one-pot method for the selective alpha,alpha-difluorination of readily available acid chlorides is reported in which three separate catalysts act synergistically to form products in outstanding selectivity and fair to excellent yields.