Difluorophenylsulfanylmethyl radical and difluoromethylene diradical synthons: gem-difluoromethylene building block

Bromodifluorophenylsulfanylmethane has been demonstrated to be a highly versatile gem-difluoromethylene (CF2) building block via the reaction of difluorophenylsulfanylmethyl radical with olefins. gem-Difluoroalkenes and products containing a midehain CF2 group and with manipulatable functionality can be readily synthesized. The first example of a gem-difluoromethylene radical synthon is also reported.