Radical hydrodifluoromethylation of unsaturated C−C bonds via an electroreductively triggered two-pronged approach

Due to its superior ability in controlling pharmaceutical activity, the installation of difluoromethyl (CF 2 H) functionality into organic molecules has been an area of intensive research. In this context, difluoromethylation of C−C π bonds mediated by a CF 2 H radical have been pursued as a central strategy to grant access to difluoromethylated hydrocarbons. However, early precedents necessitate the generation of oxidative chemical species that can limit the generality and utility of the reaction. We report here the successful implementation of radical hydrodifluoromethylation of unsaturated C−C bonds via an electroreductively triggered two-pronged approach. Preliminary mechanistic investigations suggest that the key distinction of the present strategy originates from the reconciliation of multiple redox processes under highly reducing electrochemical conditions. The reaction conditions can be chosen based on the electronic properties of the alkenes of interest, highlighting the hydrodifluoromethylation of both unactivated and activated alkenes. Notably, the reaction delivers geminal (bis)difluoromethylated products from alkynes in a single step by consecutive hydrodifluoromethylation, granting access to an underutilized 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoropropan-2-yl functional group. The late-stage hydrodifluoromethylation of densely functionalized pharmaceutical agents is also presented. The installation of difluoromethylene groups into bio-relevant molecules allows access to important scaffolds, but existing methods to do so often rely on oxidative chemical species that can hamper reactivity. Here, radical hydrodifluoromethylation with a wide range of unsaturated C–C bonds is achieved via an electroreductive two-pronged approach, granting access to a variety of difluoromethylated organic molecules.