Visible-Light Photoredox Trifluoromethylation via Perfluoroarene Iodine(III) Reagent Decarboxylaytion

This new application of [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]pentafluorobenzene (1) facilitates its use as a trifluoromethylating reagent of (hetero)arenes in conjunction with a photoredox metal catalyst. For example, Qing et al. have reported that 1 reacts with (hetero)arenes in the presence of photoredox metal catalysts by irradiation with blue LED light to give the corresponding trifluoromethylated aryl products in good yields. This reaction can be carried out under mild conditions, and the by-product, iodopentafluorobenzene, can be easily separated. This new method adds further synthetic utility to 1 by using it as a mild and accessible CF₃ source.