Regioselective 2,2,2-Trifluoroethylation of Imidazopyridines by Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis

Abstract

A visible-light-induced C-3 selective trifluoroethylation of imidazoheterocycles using 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-iodoethane as trifluoroethyl radical sources was developed. The methodology enables the introduction of a trifluoroethyl group in a fast and efficient reaction under mild conditions with excellent regioselectivities and high functional group tolerance.