Visible-light-induced direct C(sp3)-H difluromethylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines with the in situ generated difluoroenolatesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4cc02768j

An effective approach to C1-difluoromethylated tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives has been developed through C-H functionalization of tertiary amines by visible-light photoredox catalysis. This method uses stable, easily obtained α,α-difluorinated gem-diol as the CF 2 source. The corresponding products were obtained in moderate to high yields at ambient temperature. A visible light promoted C(sp3)-H difluoromethylation of tetrahydroisoquinolines that uses stable and easily prepared α,α-difluorinated gem-diol as the CF 2 source is disclosed.