Zn-Mediated Fragmentation of N -Alkoxyphthalimides Enabling the Synthesis of gem -Difluoroalkenes.

Zn-mediated generation of alkoxyl radicals from N -alkoxyphthalimides emerged as an efficient approach for forming diverse and valuable alkyl radicals through β-scission or a hydrogen atom transfer process. The alkyl radical species can be further trapped by α-trifluoromethyl alkenes to construct a series of gem -difluoroalkenes.