Photocatalytic 1,3-difluoroalkylcarboxylation of alkenes by triple kinetic-controlled radical self-ordering.

A transition-metal-free protocol for the unsymmetrical radical 1,3-difunctionalization of alkenes has been established for the first time in the form of 1,3-difluoroalkylcarboxylation by a photocatalytic radical three-component reaction of allyl formates, trifluoroacetanilides, and cesium formate. This reaction employs formate as the carboxylating reagent and trifluoroacetanilide as the difluoroalkylating reagent C-F bond activation. As a result, a series of previously inaccessible unsymmetrical difluorinated adipic acid derivatives can be easily and efficient prepared.