Visible-Light-Driven Difluoromethylation of Isocyanides with S‑(Difluoromethyl)diarylsulfonium Salt: Access to a Wide Variety of Difluoromethylated Phenanthridines and Isoquinolines

A highly efficient approach of visible-light-driven radical difluoromethylation of isocyanides to access a wide variety of difluoromethylated phenanthridines and isoquinolines is herein described. Electrophilic S-(difluoromethyl)­diarylsulfonium salt proved to be a good difluoromethyl radical precursor under photoredox catalysis. A broad range of isocyanides were tolerated to furnish the corresponding difluoromethylated phenanthridines, isoquinolines, furo­[3,2-c]­pyridine, and pyrido­[3,4-b]­indole in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. A plausible mechanism was also proposed.