Progress in Visible Light-Induced Difluroalkylation of Olefins

Chem Rec. 2021 Jan;21(1):69-86. doi: 10.1002/tcr.202000094. Epub 2020 Oct 27.

Abstract

The incorporation of difluoromethylated (CF2 ) moiety into potentially useful parent molecules lead to significant changes in metabolic stability, lipophilicity, and solubility of the molecules. Over the past several years, with the advent of new difluoromethylating reagents, great progress has been made in the development of a protocol for the direct incorporation of the CF2 H group into organic molecules. Among them, difluroalkylation induced by visible light has emerged as an efficient strategy over the past few years. In particular, this protocol provides a more sustainable alternative to other traditional radical-triggered reactions in terms of environment, energy, step-economy, health, and safety. The present review mainly focuses on the development of the photocatalytic difluoroalkylation to olefinic moiety using transition-metal complexes, organic dyes as the photocatalyst; and some organic compounds as a medium of photocatalysis.

Keywords: Visible-light induced; alkenes; difluoroalkylation; free-radical; photocatalyst.

Publication types

  • Review