Sulfinate-PromotedDefluorinative Cyclization of PolyfluoroalkylTetralones Enabled by Photocatalysis

A Ru-catalyzed defluorinative cyclization of polyfluoroalkyl tetralones has been developed under visible-light irradiation for the precise assembly of γ-pyrones featuring α-perfluoroalkyl and β-fluorine substituents. Selective functionalization of five C(sp³)–F bonds at three carbon sites on the perfluoroalkyl chain provides a new mode for utilizing polyfluorides as versatile synthons to access difficult-to-obtain heterocyclic scaffolds. Moreover, the sulfinate salt serves dual roles as an oxygen source for creating the carbonyl group and as a defluorinating promoter.