Ambient-Light-Promoted Three-Component Annulation: Synthesis of Perfluoroalkylated Pyrimidines.

An ambient-light-promoted and metal-free three-component reaction of active methylene compounds, perfluoroalkyl iodides, and guanidines/amidines is reported. This constitutes a powerful method to prepare perfluoroalkylated pyrimidines with mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, and simple operation. A radical/polar mechanism involving the formation of a halogen-bond adduct and radical cross-coupling is proposed.