Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Coupling of Aliphatic N?hydroxyphthalimide Esters with Polyfluoroaryl Nucleophiles

Polyfluoroarenes are an important class of compounds in medical and material chemistry. The synthesis alkylated polyfluoroarenes remains challenging. Here we describe a decarboxylative coupling reaction N-hydroxyphthalimide esters aliphatic carboxylic acids with polyfluoroaryl zinc reagents (Zn-ArF) via synergetic photoredox copper catalysis. This method readily converts primary secondary alkyl into the corresponding compounds, which could have wide range F-content (2F-5F) variable F-substitution patterns on aryl groups. Broad scope good functional group compatibility were achieved, including substrates derived from natural products pharmaceuticals. Mechanistic study revealed that [Cu-(ArF)2] species be responsible for transfer groups to radicals.