Starting from Styrene: A Unified Protocol for Hydrotrifluoromethylation of Diversified Alkenes

In contrast with unactivated alkenes, the corresponding hydrotrifluoromethylation of styrene has remained challenging due to the strong propensity of styrene for oligomerization and polymerization. On the basis of our newly developed trifluoromethylation reagent, TFSP, herein we present a general method for the hydrotrifluoromethylation of styrene under photoredox catalysis. The substrate scope was further extended to unactivated alkenes, acrylates, acrylamides, and vinyl-heteroatom-substituted alkenes. The tunability of this method was showcased via the relevant deprotonative trifluoromethylation and trifluoromethyltrifluoroethoxylation reactions.

Automated summary

This study presents a general method for the hydrotrifluoromethylation of styrene under photoredox catalysis using a newly developed trifluoromethylation reagent, TFSP. The substrate scope was further expanded to include unactivated alkenes, acrylates, acrylamides, and vinyl-heteroatom-substituted alkenes, demonstrating the tunability of this method.