The first visible-light-mediated synthesis of trifluoromethylselenolated arenes under metal-free conditions is reported. The use of an organic photocatalyst enables the trifluoromethylselenolation of arene diazonium salts using the shelf-stable reagent trifluoromethyl tolueneselenosulfonate at room temperature. The reaction does not require the presence of any additives and shows high functional-group tolerance, covering a very broad range of starting materials. Mechanistic investigations, including EPR spectroscopy, luminescence investigations, and cyclic voltammetry allow rationalization of the reaction mechanism.
Keywords: metal-free reactions; photocatalysis; radicals; trifluoromethylselenolation; visible light.
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