TEMPO-Mediated Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling of Indoles and Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with Fluorinated Alcohols.

A simple and highly efficient metal-free method has been developed for hydroxyfluoroalkylation of indoles and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via TEMPO-mediated C(sp3)-H and C(sp2)-H bond cross-dehydrogenative coupling of fluorinated alcohols and indoles. The protocol showed broad substrate scope, afforded good yields of hydroxyfluoroalkylated products, and was amenable for scale-up. Mechanistic investigation indicated involvement of the radical pathway.