A copper-promoted synthesis of heptafluoroisopropylarenes through visible-light-induced coupling of arylsulfonium salts with AgCF(CF3)2 is presented. The reaction, conducted at room temperature under 420 nm LED irradiation, efficiently converted different types of arylsulfonium salts to the corresponding heptafluoroisopropylarenes in good yields, taming the light-sensitive silver reagent while exhibiting broad functional group tolerance and excellent chemoselectivity. This protocol was also feasible for the introduction of the CF(CF3)2 moiety into drug molecules, supplying an advantageous method for late-stage molecular functionalization.
Li et al. (Fri,) studied this question.