Photoexcited Hantzsch Ester Anions Enabled C−F Bond Activation and Hydro‐Difluoroalkylation of Arylethylenes Through Dual‐SET Process

In this study, we reported a new approach to activate the C-F bond of trifluoromethylarenes to achieve the hydro-difluoroalkylation of arylethylenes using photoexcited Hantzsch esters (HEs) anions. A wide range of α,α-difluoroalkanes was synthesized. Late-stage functionalization of drug molecules and synthesis of bioactive molecule bioisostere were also presented. Mechanistic studies revealed that the dual-single electron transfer (SET) process of HEs anion was the key to this reaction.