Sustainable Cascades to Difluoroalkylated Polycyclic Imidazoles

Abstract We reported herein a visible light promoted difluoroalkylated cascade of imidazoles and alkenes to afford highly functionalized polycyclic imidazoles. This method features a direct radical cyclization of imidazoles with alkenes using BrCF 2 R as radical sources. The reaction conditions tolerate a wide range of substrate scope and afford the desired products with up to 95 % isolated yield under mild conditions. Radical‐trapping and light‐on/off experiments indicated a photocatalytic radical mechanism.