Photoredox-catalysed redox-neutral trifluoromethylation of vinyl azides for the synthesis of α-trifluoromethylated ketones

A redox-neutral, mild, and simple protocol is developed for the synthesis of a-trifluoromethylated ketones from vinyl azides under transition-metal-free conditions. In the presence of organic photoredox catalyst N-methyl-9-mesityl acridinium and sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate, a broad range of substituted vinyl azides were found to react smoothly upon visible-light irradiation, readily furnishing the corresponding products in satisfied yields.