Development of SF₆ as a Formal Electrophilic Fluorinating Reagent for Photocatalyzed Oxidative Fluorination of Phosphine Oxides

Abstract

Organophosphorus–fluorine compounds are of significant utility across biology, pharmacy, and chemical synthesis. Here, we introduce a photocatalyzed oxidative-fluorination approach employing SF 6 as a formal electrophilic fluorinating reagent. It offers an innovative pathway to forge P(O)–F bonds. Notably, sulfur hexafluoride plays a dual role as both the oxidant and the fluorinating reagent under mild conditions in this transformation. Meanwhile, this method contributes to environmental sustainability by consuming a notorious greenhouse gas, underscoring the ecological benefits of our approach.