Dye-incorporated coordination polymers for direct photocatalytic trifluoromethylation of aromatics at metabolically susceptible positions

Nat Commun. 2018 Oct 2;9(1):4024. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05919-6.

Abstract

Direct trifluoromethylation of unactivated aromatic rings at metabolically susceptible positions is highly desirable in pharmaceutical applications. By incorporating thiophenes into the backbone of triphenylamine to enlarge its π-system, a new approach for constructing coordination polymers is reported for direct trifluoromethylation without prefunctionalization of the aryl precursors. The improved light-harvesting ability and well-modulated excited state redox potential of the designed polymers endow the generated CF3 radicals with suitable reactivity and enhance radical adduct oxidation in pores. The well-configurated interactions between the organic ligands distort the coordination geometry to create active interaction sites within the coordination polymer; thus, the substrates could be docked near the photoredox-active centres. The synergistic electronic and spatial effects in the confined pores balance the contradictory demands of electronic effects and reaction dynamics, achieving regio- and diastereoselective discrimination among reaction sites with unremarkable electronic/steric differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Halogenation
  • Hydrocarbons, Aromatic / chemistry*
  • Methylation
  • Thiophenes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
  • Thiophenes