Electrooxidative Fluorofunctionalization of Arylcyclopropanes

Org Lett. 2023 Oct 13;25(40):7385-7389. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c02843. Epub 2023 Sep 28.

Abstract

The work herein demonstrates the viability of an electrochemical oxidative protocol for the expedient realization of 1,3-fluorofunctionalization of arylcyclopropanes under catalyst- and oxidant-free conditions. Given the relatively low nucleophilicity of fluoride ion, the counterintuitive outcome that the ring-opening is initiated by nucleophilic fluorination is rationalized by invoking tight ion pair between aryl radical cation and BF4- counterion. By integrating alcohols, acids, and N-heterocycles as the terminating nucleophiles, straightforward 1,3-fluorooxygenation and 1,3-fluoroamination are smoothly achieved.