Access to -Difluoro Olefins via C-H Functionalization and Dual Role of Anilines.

In this Letter, we describe a simple, practical approach in which cheap CuI was used as a catalyst to introduce a -difluoro olefin onto simple electron-rich aniline derivatives in good yield via direct C-H functionalization and a subsequent HF elimination reaction. Detailed mechanistic studies point at a dual role of aniline derivatives in this reaction, which serve as a substrate and a basic promoter to trigger the HF elimination step.