Visible-Light-Driven Difluoromethylation of Isocyanides with <i>S</i>-(Difluoromethyl)diarylsulfonium Salt: Access to a Wide Variety of Difluoromethylated Phenanthridines and Isoquinolines

Abstract

A highly efficient approach of visible-light-driven radical difluoromethylation of isocyanides to access a wide variety of difluoromethylated phenanthridines and isoquinolines is herein described. Electrophilic <i>S</i>-(difluoromethyl)diarylsulfonium salt proved to be a good difluoromethyl radical precursor under photoredox catalysis. A broad range of isocyanides were tolerated to furnish the corresponding difluoromethylated phenanthridines, isoquinolines, furo[3,2-<i>c</i>]pyridine, and pyrido[3,4-<i>b</i>]indole in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. A plausible mechanism was also proposed.