Photocatalyzed difluoroalkylation of pyridine N-oxides

A photoredox catalytic strategy has been developed for the regioselective C2-, or C4-difluoroalkylation of pyridine N-oxides under mild conditions. This method provides an efficient protocol for the incorporation of electrophilic difluoroacetate radical (CF2CO2Et) into pyridine skeletons, based on the strategy of nitrogen-atom activation on electron-deficient pyridine moieties.