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 alpha-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.

Automated summary

This article introduces the easy-to-handle, solid, and bench-stable fluoroalkyl sulfoximines as electron-accepting fluoroalkyl radical sources, which can generate fluoroalkyl radicals using strong one-electron injectors. Our group has developed photocatalytic radical di- and mono-fluoromethylation and alpha-monofluoroalkylation of olefins using these sulfoximines. Appropriate combinations of fluoroalkyl sulfoximines and photoredox catalysts for successful radical fluoroalkylation have been discussed in this personal account.