Rhodium-Catalyzed Direct Allylation of Simple Arenes by Using Gem -Difluorinated Cyclopropanes as Allyl Surrogates

Gem -difluorinated cyclopropanes have become an important type of allyl surrogate in transition-metal-catalyzed ring-opening processes, as demonstrated recently through various important advances, especially with palladium catalysis. The versatile fluorinated allyl species generated in this way from gem -difluorinated cyclopropanes exhibit unique advantages compared with conventional allyl sources. By using gem -difluorinated cyclopropanes as allyl surrogates, we achieved a direct allylation of simple arenes through rhodium catalysis under mild conditions. This transformation permits directing-group-free allylation of simple arenes, including electron-neutral, electron-rich, and electron-deficient ones. Here, we give a brief introduction to this area and we discuss our thoughts regarding our recent work and its design. 1 Introduction 2 Our Design 3 Condition Optimization and Substrate Scope 4 Applications in Synthesis 5 Mechanistic Discussions 6 Conclusion and Outlook