Metal-free electrochemical oxidative trifluoromethylation/C(sp2) H functionalization of quinolinones

Electrochemical direct trifluoromethylation of quinolinones was described under metal-free catalysis and oxidant-free conditions. A series of 2-aryl-3-trifluoromethylquinoline-4(1H)-ones were obtained in medium to good yield by using the method. By using butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as free radical blocker, adduct of BHT-CF3 was originally captured, which confirmed that the reaction was a free radical mechanism. Based on the results of capturing radical and cyclic voltammetry (CV), a reaction mechanism was proposed.