Visible-light-induced direct C(sp3)–H difluromethylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines with the in situ generated difluoroenolates

Abstract

An effective approach to C1-difluoromethylated tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives has been developed through C-H functionalization of tertiary amines by visible-light photoredox catalysis. This method uses stable, easily obtained α,α-difluorinated gem-diol as the CF2 source. The corresponding products were obtained in moderate to high yields at ambient temperature.