Radical Trifluoromethoxylation of Arenes Triggered by a Visible-Light-Mediated N?O Bond Redox Fragmentation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/anie.201806296

A simple trifluoromethoxylation method enables non-directed functionalization of C?H bonds on a range of substrates, providing access to aryl trifluoromethyl ethers. This light-driven process is distinctly different from conventional procedures and occurs through an OCF₃ radical mechanism mediated by a photoredox catalyst, which triggers an N?O bond fragmentation. The pyridinium-based trifluoromethoxylation reagent is bench-stable and provides access to synthetic diversity in lead compounds in an operationally simple manner.