Photoredox-catalyzed three-component carbotrifluoromethylation of alkenes via radical–radical cross-coupling†

In this study, we establish an efficient photocatalytic strategy for three-component carbotrifluoromethylation of alkenes. This approach is capable of constructing a variety of chiral carbon-containing 1,4-bis(trifluoromethylated) compounds under visible light irradiation. By using commercially available Togni and Langlois reagents, the reaction can smoothly proceed via photoredox-catalyzed radical–radical cross-coupling in the absence of additional additives under mild conditions. Application of the process in gram-scale synthesis of the product and late-stage functionalization of bioactive molecules is achieved.