A Free-Radical-Promoted Site-Specific Cross-Dehydrogenative-Coupling of N-Heterocycles with Fluorinated Alcohols

A C-C formation of an electron-rich N-heterocycle with fluorinated alcohol is developed. Through this radical-triggered cross-dehydrogenative coupling strategy, a wide range of useful building blocks such as C3 hydroxyfluoroalkylated indoles and pyrroles can be site-specifically synthesized. Mechanistic studies indicate a single-electron-transfer initiated radical cycle would be involved.