Photoinduced synthesis of fluorinated dibenz[b,e]azepines via radical triggered cyclization

A simple, mild and efficient approach to access fluorinated dibenz[b,e]azepines via visible-light photoredox catalysis is presented. Inexpensive and commercially available fluoroalkyl anhydrides in concert with pyridine N-oxide are employed as the source of the fluoroalkyl radicals. A one-pot process involving the trifluoroacetylation of unprotected secondary benzyl amines followed by radical cyclization could also afford the desired fluorinated dibenz[b,e]azepines.