Photoredox Catalyzed Intramolecular Fluoroalkylarylation of Unactivated Alkenes.

The first example of photoredox catalyzed difluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes coupled with C-C bond formation to an aryl ring is reported. The reactions are conducted under mild conditions and afford tetralin derivatives bearing difluoromethyl as well as other fluoroalkyl groups in good to high yields. In addition, the study indicates that 6-exo radical cyclization of an alkyl radical to a phenyl ring is faster than the respective 5-exo radical cyclization. A computational study provides insights to the experimental results.