Visible-Light Photoredox Decarboxylation of Perfluoroarene Iodine(III) Trifluoroacetates for C-H Trifluoromethylation of (Hetero)arenes

A scalable and operationally simple decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes with easily accessible C6F5I(OCOCF3)(2) under photoredox catalysis has been developed. This method is tolerant of various (hetero)-arenes and functional groups. Notably, C6F5I is recycled from the decarboxylation reaction and further used for the preparation of C6F5I(OCOCF3)(2). The combination of photoredox catalysis and hypervalent iodine reagent provides a practical approach for the application of trifluoroacetic acid in trifluoromethylation reactions.