Arylation of gem-difluoroalkenes using a Pd/Cu Co-catalytic system that avoids β-fluoride elimination

Pd(II)/Cu(I) co-catalyze an arylation reaction of gem-difluoroalkenes using arylsulfonyl chlorides to deliver α,α-difluorobenzyl products. The reaction proceeds through a β,β-difluoroalkyl–Pd intermediate that typically undergoes unimolecular β-F elimination to deliver monofluorinated alkene products in a net C–F functionalization reaction. However to avoid β-F elimination, we offer the β,β-difluoroalkyl–Pd intermediate an alternate low-energy route involving β-H elimination to ultimately deliver difluorinated products in a net arylation/isomerization sequence. Overall, this reaction enables exploration of new reactivities of unstable fluorinated alkyl–metal species, while also providing new opportunities for transforming readily available fluorinated alkenes into more elaborate substructures.