Halogen-Bond-Promoted Photoactivation of Perfluoroalkyl Iodides: A Photochemical Protocol for Perfluoroalkylation Reactions

A new protocol for photochemical perfluoroalkylation reactions using perfluoroalkyl iodide, amine additive, and THF solvent is reported. This protocol does not require a photoredox catalyst and proceeds at ambient temperature with irradiation from a compact fluorescent lamp, low-intensity UV lamp, or sunlight. This protocol can be applied to the synthesis of perfluoroalkyl-substituted phenanthridines as well as effect the iodo-perfluoroalkylation of alkenes/alkynes and the C-H perfluoroalkylation of electron-rich arenes and heteroarenes. This C-H perfluoroalkylation reaction offers a unique method for site-selective labeling of oligopeptides at the tryptophan residue.