Rh( <scp>iii</scp> )-catalyzed C–H activation/β-F elimination/Michael addition: diastereoselective access to dihydroisoquinolinones featuring β-amino α-fluorocarbonyl motif

The β-amino α-fluorocarbonyl motif is a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry, yet its efficient synthesis from readily available precursors remains challenging. Herein, we report a Rh(III)-catalyzed cascade reaction that constructs 3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-1(2<i>H</i>)-ones featuring this motif <i>via</i> C-H activation/β-F elimination/Michael addition. Using <i>gem</i>-difluorobut-3-en-1-ones as versatile fluorinated building blocks, the reaction proceeds under mild conditions with broad substrate scope and high diastereoselectivity.