Fluoroalkanesulfinate Salts as Dual Fluoroalkyl and SO2 Sources: Atom-Economical Fluoroalkyl-Sulfonylation of Alkenes and Alkynes by Photoredox Catalysis

We disclose that fluoroalkanesulfinate salts ((RFSO2) n M) such as the Langlois reagent, CF3SO2Na, serve as dual fluoroalkyl (RF) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) sources by the action of photoredox catalysis. An operationally simple strategy for the vicinal installation of RF and SO2 groups onto unsaturated carbon–carbon bonds, i.e., fluoroalkyl-sulfonylation, has been developed. In particular, the present photocatalytic trifluoromethyl-sulfonylation can be applied to aromatic alkynes in addition to aliphatic and aromatic alkenes bearing various functional groups.