1.7 Synthesis of Difluoromethylene-Containing Compounds

Abstract The difluoromethylene group (CF2) is a valuable fluorinated motif that is widely present in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and advanced functional materials because of the unique properties of fluorine atoms. Consequently, considerable efforts have been dedicated to introducing the difluoromethylene group into organic molecules. This review summarizes progress in the synthesis of difunctionalized difluoromethane (R1−CF2−FG) compounds, including methods for the difluoroalkylation of C—X and unsaturated bonds, and gem-difluorination reactions.