New Visible-Light-Triggered Photocatalytic Trifluoromethylation Reactions of Carbon-Carbon Multiple Bonds and (Hetero)Aromatic Compounds

Visible-light-photocatalyzed methods employed in synthetic transformations present attractive properties such as environmentally friendly, safety, availability and excellent functional group tolerance. In this regard, research on the visible-light photocatalytic incorporation of the trifluoromethyl CF(3)moiety into organic substrates, in particular, has contributed to a clear evolution of the field of photocatalysis. Although this particular area is constantly evolving and has been reviewed, the last five years have experienced an outburst of seminal and significant photocatalytic trifluoromethylation examples that are leading the way and opening new synthetic avenues. Recent review articles on Ru- and Ir-based photocatalytic trifluoromethylation reactions have borne witness of this evolution. Although this account will show the new Ru- and Ir-based photocatalytic trifluoromethylations, Sections 2 and 3 will also illustrate other photocatalytic systems, such as organic dyes, organic semiconductors and newly-developed all-organic photocatalysts. All the known and reviewed strategies for photocatalytic trifluoromethylation reactions of olefins and (hetero)aromatic compounds will not be discussed but will be summarized in two figures (Figures 4 and 5), and new examples (2015-present) will be presented and discussed.