Photoinduced synthesis of -trifluoromethylated ketones through the oxidative trifluoromethylation of styrenes using CF3SO2Na as a trifluoromethyl reagent without an external photoredox catalyst

A photoinduced strategy to access -CF3-substituted ketones through the reaction of simple styrenes with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (CF3SO2Na) in the absence of an external photosensitizer under LED (380-385 nm) irradiation and an air atmosphere at room temperature was developed. This reaction employs the commercially available, low cost, and easy to handle Langlois reagent (CF3SO2Na) as a CF3-radical source, and the reaction has advantages of mild conditions, a simple system and good functional group tolerance. Investigations indicated that the product acts as a photosensitizer and O-1(2) coexists with O-2(-) during the reaction through the energy transfer and single electron transfer process.