Visible-Light Photoredox Decarboxylation of Perfluoroarene Iodine(III) Trifluoroacetates for C–H Trifluoromethylation of (Hetero)arenes

A scalable and operationally simple decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes with easily accessible C6F5I(OCOCF3)2 under photoredox catalysis has been developed. This method is tolerant of various (hetero)arenes and functional groups. Notably, C6F5I is recycled from the decarboxylation reaction and further used for the preparation of C6F5I(OCOCF3)2. The combination of photoredox catalysis and hypervalent iodine reagent provides a practical approach for the application of trifluoroacetic acid in trifluoromethylation reactions.