Red-Light-Driven Bifunctionalization of Styrene Derivatives

J Org Chem. 2024 Jun 7;89(11):8178-8184. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.4c00889. Epub 2024 May 27.

Abstract

A red-light-activated phthalocyanine ruthenium complex has been designed as a catalyst for the bifunctionalization of styrene derivatives. The combination of a trifluoromethylation agent resistant to nucleophiles and various nucleophiles facilitates the concurrent incorporation of a trifluoromethyl group and various functional groups onto the double bond of the substrate. This reaction demonstrates the utility of mild, low-energy, and highly transmissive long-wavelength light for intricate molecular transformations in a one-pot procedure.