A visible-light-induced decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids, which uses the Togni reagent as the CF3 source is disclosed. The corresponding trifluoromethylated alkenes were obtained in moderate to high yields with excellent functional group tolerance at ambient temperature. Preliminary mechanistic analyses suggest a radical-type mechanism.

A novel visible light promoted carbodifluoroalkylation of allylic alcohols is disclosed. A series of difluoro 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds were obtained through a tandem radical addition and 1,2-aryl migration process. Mechanistic analysis indicated that the 1,2-aryl rearrangement proceeded via a radical intermediate.

A new synthetic approach toward difunctionalization of alkenes has been developed under metal-free conditions. Various carboxylic acids and amines could react smoothly with alkenes to give dioxygenation and oxyamidation products, respectively. This organocatalytic process delivers 2-hydroxy alcohols directly from simple alkenes with high levels of region control.

Visible Light Promoted Carbodifluoroalkylation of Allylic Alcohols via Concomitant 1,2-Aryl Migration. -The photo-induced difluoroalkylation of allylic alcohols in the presence of blue LED light affords difluoro 1,5-dicarbonyl compounds through tandem radical addition and 1,2-aryl migration. -(XU, P.; HU, K.; GU, Z.; CHENG, Y.; ZHU*, C.; Chem. Commun. (Cambridge) 51 (2015) 33, 7222-7225, http://dx.