Metal-free fluorination of C(sp3)-H bonds using a catalytic N-oxyl radical

Abstract

A direct conversion of C(sp(3))-H bonds to C(sp(3))-F bonds has been developed. In this process, a catalytic N-oxyl radical generated from N,N-dihydroxypyromellitimide abstracts hydrogen from the C(sp(3))-H bond and Selectfluor acts to trap the resulting carbon radical to form the C(sp(3))-F bond. This simple metal-free protocol enables the chemoselective introduction of a fluorine atom into various aromatic and aliphatic compounds and serves as a powerful tool for the efficient synthesis of fluorinated molecules.