Redox-neutral decarboxylative coupling of fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids via dual metal photoelectrocatalysis

Given the importance and beneficial characteristics of aliphatic CF3 chiral compounds in modern chemistry, efficient strategies for their synthesis are highly sought after. While alpha-CF3 carboxylic acid is an emerging and easily accessible CF3-containing synthon, its use as a source of fluoroalkyl is highly challenging due to its high oxidation potential. Herein, we disclose a photoelectrocatalytic method for the direct and enantioselective decarboxylative cross-coupling of alpha-CF3 carboxylic acids. Key to our approach is the strategic integration of the LMCT-induced decarboxylative process with classical nickel catalysis. This strategy enables the efficient synthesis of aliphatic chiral CF3 compounds with a broad range of substrates.