Organozinc reagents may be activated under blue light irradiation using an organic photocatalyst to generate alkyl radicals. The radicals are trapped by α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes leading to gem-difluorinated products after elimination of fluoride. The reaction can be conveniently performed under Barbier conditions starting from organic iodides and bromides and elemental zinc.
The reaction of organozinc reagents with unactivated
imines is
accelerated when performed in the presence of a photocatalyst under
blue light irradiation. Coordination between Lewis acidic zinc iodide
and the imine is a key factor responsible for the reaction efficiency.
The method can be carried out using alkyl iodides under Barbier conditions.
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