Photo-Induced Three-Component Radical Trifluoromethylation/Heteroarylation of Alkenes via EDA Complexes

This study develops a visible-light-induced electron donor–acceptor (EDA) complex strategy, employing the inexpensive and readily available DBU as the electron donor and the industrially available CF3Br as the trifluoromethyl source, to achieve the trifluoromethylation/heteroarylation of alkenes. This method offers advantages in cost-effectiveness and facile postreaction processing, without requiring transition metals or fluorescent dyes as photocatalysts. Moreover, nitrogen-containing heterocycles such as quinoxalinones, uracils, and pyrazines are all compatible in this transformation through C–H alkylation, providing a convenient and economical new avenue for the green late-stage modification of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds.