Photoredox Generation of Carbon-Centered Radicals Enables the Construction of 1,1-Difluoroalkene Carbonyl Mimics

Described is a facile, scalable route to access functional-group-rich gem-difluoroalkenes. Using visible-light-activated catalysts in conjunction with an arsenal of carbon-radical precursors, an array of trifluoromethyl-substituted alkenes undergoes radical defluorinative alkylation. Nonstabilized primary, secondary, and tertiary radicals can be used to install functional groups in a convergent manner, which would otherwise be challenging by two-electron pathways. The process readily extends to other perfluoroalkyl-substituted alkenes. In addition, we report the development of an organotrifluoroborate reagent to expedite the synthesis of the requisite trifluoromethyl-substituted alkene starting materials.