Irradiation-Induced Cobaloxime-Catalyzed C-H Monofluoroalkylation of Styrenes at Room Temperature.

A cobaloxime-catalyzed photochemical synthesis of allyl monofluorides from styrenes is described herein. This method is characterized by mild reaction conditions, low-cost catalyst, and broad substrate scope. Furthermore, this convenient method will provide a facile synthesis toward novel monofluoroalkylated natural product and pharmaceutical derivatives. Mechanistic investigations indicate that a monofluoroalkyl radical is involved in the catalytic cycle.