Copper/Photoredox Dual Catalysis for the Redox-Neutral C(sp <sup>3</sup> )–CF <sub>2</sub> H Cross-Coupling between Benzylic Bromides and Tetracoordinated Difluoromethylborates
A copper/photoredox dual-catalytic strategy has been developed for radical-radical C(sp<sup>3</sup>)-CF<sub>2</sub>H cross-coupling between alkyl bromides and readily accessible tetracoordinated difluoromethylborates. In this protocol, visible-light-induced single-electron oxidation of the borates generates difluoromethyl radicals (<sup>•</sup>CF<sub>2</sub>H), which are subsequently intercepted by a copper catalyst to forge C(sp<sup>3</sup>)-CF<sub>2</sub>H bonds. This redox-neutral approach proceeds without the need for stoichiometric halogen atom transfer (XAT) reagents, oxidants, or reductants, exhibits broad functional group tolerance, and enables late-stage installation of the pharmaceutically privileged CF<sub>2</sub>H motif into aliphatic frameworks.
Authors
- Zhenyu Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6679-9612)
- Liang Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7939-8108)
- Ge Lan
- Xiangxue Cao
- Yu Wei
- Shuai Liu
- Huanhuan Song
Institutions
- Shihezi University (CN)
- Xinjiang Institute of Engineering (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Organic Letters
- Published
- 2026-01-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.orglett.6c00060
- Primary Topic
- Radical Photochemical Reactions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00