Electrochemical Synthesis Strategy for C-CF Compounds through Decarboxylative Trifluoromethylation.

An efficient decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids using the Langlois reagent as a trifluoromethyl precursor has been achieved by an electro-oxidative strategy. Under catalyst-free and external oxidant-free electrolysis conditions, a series of C-CF compounds are obtained with a high regioselectivity in good yields. The successful trapping of the CF radical by a scavenger has confirmed that radical processes are involved in this system.