Photoredox Activation of Fluorinated Organozinc Reagents: Hydrofluoroalkylation of Unactivated and Electron Deficient Alkenes

Abstract

Hydrofluoroalkylation of alkenes with organozinc reagents under photocatalytic conditions is described. The fluorinated alkyl radicals were generated from organozincs by the single electron oxidation of the carbon−zinc bond. The radical addition step is followed either by hydrogen atom transfer for unactivated olefins or by a reduction/protonation sequence for strongly accepting arylidenemalononitriles.