Ring-size-selective construction of fluorine-containing carbocycles via intramolecular iodoarylation of 1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes

1,1-Difluoro-1-alkenes bearing a biaryl-2-yl group effectively underwent site-selective intramolecular iodoarylation by the appropriate cationic iodine species. Iodoarylation of 2-(2-aryl-3,3-difluoroallyl)biaryls proceeded via regioselective carbon–carbon bond formation at the carbon atoms in β-position to the fluorine substituents, thereby constructing dibenzo-fused six-membered carbocycles bearing a difluoroiodomethyl group. In contrast, 2-(3,3-difluoroallyl)biaryls underwent a similar cyclization at the α-carbon atoms to afford ring-difluorinated seven-membered carbocycles.