Divergent defluorocarboxylation of α-CF3 alkenes with formate via photocatalyzed selective mono-or triple C–F bond cleavage

Unprecedented divergent synthesis of gem-difluorovinylacetic acid and glutaric acid derivatives from α-CF3alkenes with formate as the carbonyl source was disclosed.The reaction can undergo selective mono-or triple C-F bond cleavage by simply switching the photocatalyst and hydrogen atom transfer(HAT) catalyst under visible-light-induced conditions at room temperature.Foramte acts as both the C1 source and the reductant through the generation of CO2·-species,which underwent Giese radical addition to electron-deficient alkenes to trigger the consecutive C-F bond cleavage and carboxylation process.