Catalysis for fluorination and trifluoromethylation

When incorporated into organic compounds, fluorine atoms often impart useful properties. For example, fluorination improves the thermal stability of some materials, and enhances the metabolic stability of some pharmaceuticals. Recent advances make it possible to create carbonfluorine bonds at specific positions in complex organic molecules, paving the way for a new and potentially productive era in fluorination chemistry. In this Review, Furuya et al. describe the inherent challenges associated with carbonfluorine bond-formation reactions, discuss the breakthroughs that have helped to overcome these problems and outline the likely direction of future research.