Redox-active N-(fluoromethoxy)benzotriazoles were made accessible from fluoroacetic acid and hydroxybenzotriazoles via electrodecarboxylative coupling. After alkylation, they become effective monofluoromethoxylation reagents, enabling the photocatalytic C-H functionalization of arenes. Thus, irradiation of 1-(OCH2 F)-3-Me-6-(CF3 )benzotriazolium triflate with blue LED light in the presence of [Ru(bpy)3 (PF6 )2 ] promotes the synthesis of diversely functionalized aryl monofluoromethyl ethers. This method allows the late-stage functionalization of biologically relevant structures without relying on ecologically problematic halofluorocarbons.
Keywords: Electrosynthesis; Fluorine; Monofluoromethyl; Photochemistry; Radical Reactions.
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