title: Direct Photoredox-Catalyzed Reductive Difluoromethylation of Electron-Deficient Alkenes.
abstract: Photoredox-catalyzed reductive difluoromethylation of electron-deficient alkenes was achieved in one step under tin-free, mild and neutral conditions. This protocol affords a facile method to introduce RCF2 (R=H, Ph, Me, and CH2N3) groups at sites β to electron-withdrawing groups. It was found that TTMS (tris(trimethylsilyl)silane) served nicely as both the H-atom donor and the electron donor in the catalytic cycle. Experimental and DFT computational results provided evidence that RCF2 (R=H, Ph, Me) radicals are nucleophilic in nature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7200 (USA).
authors.forename: Xiao-Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7200 (USA).
authors.forename: Zuxiao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, PO Box 117200, Gainesville, FL, 32611-7200 (USA). wrd@chem.ufl.edu.
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Dolbier
keywords: alkenes; density functional calculations; fluorine; photoredox reactions; radicals