Visible-Light-Induced Trifluoromethylation of Highly Functionalized Arenes and Heteroarenes in Continuous Flow

Abstract

We report a continuous-flow protocol for the trifluoromethylation of arenes, heteroarenes, and benzofused heterocycles. This photoredox methodology relies on the use of solid sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (CF3SO2Na) as the trifluoromethylating agent and the iridium complex [Ir{dF(CF3)ppy}2](dtbpy)]PF6 as the photoredox catalyst. A diverse set of highly functionalized heterocycles proved compatible with the methodology, and moderate to good yields were obtained within 30 minutes of residence time.