Rh-catalyzed intramolecular sp2 C–H bond difluoromethylenation

A new Rh-catalyzed intramolecular coupling reaction of a CF2Br group with a 2-aryl of indole or pyrrolevia C–H bond activation is presented. This reaction represents a new way of incorporating difluoromethylene groups into organic compounds. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction might not occur via a conventional free radical pathway.