We describe a series of air-stable NiIII complexes supported by a simple, robust naphthyridine-based ligand. Access to the high-valent oxidation state is enabled by the CF3 ligands on the nickel, while the naphthyridine exhibits either a monodentate or bidentate coordination mode that depends on the oxidation state and sterics, and enables facile aerobic oxidation of NiII to NiIII . These NiIII complexes act as efficient catalysts for photoinduced C(sp2 )-H bond trifluoromethylation reactions of (hetero)arenes using versatile synthetic protocols. This blue LED light-mediated catalytic protocol proceeds via a radical pathway and demonstrates potential in the late-stage functionalization of drug analogs.
Keywords: C−H bond functionalization; nickel; photoreactivity; radical formation; trifluoromethylation.
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