UV light-mediated difunctionalization of alkenes with CF3SO2Na: synthesis of trifluoromethyl phenanthrene and anthrone derivatives

A metal-free and cost-effective protocol for UV light-mediated difunctionalization of alkenes with CF3SO2Na was developed. This strategy realized the direct formation of Csp(3)-CF3 and C-C bonds through a proposed tandem radical cyclization process, which produced a variety of phenanthrene and anthrone derivatives in moderate yields.