Photoredox-Catalyzed Intramolecular Aminodifluoromethylation of Unactivated Alkenes

Abstract

A photoredox catalyzed aminodifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes has been developed in which HCF2SO2Cl is used as the HCF2 radical source. Sulfonamides were active nucleophiles in the final step of a tandem addition/oxidation/cyclization process to form pyrrolidines, and esters were found to cyclize to form lactones. Thus, a variety of pyrrolidines and lactones were obtained in moderate to excellent yield. In order for the cyclization reactions to be efficient, a combination of a copper catalyst (Cu(dap)2Cl) and silver carbonate was crucial to suppressing a competing chloro, difluoroalkylation process.