Catalyzed and Promoted Aliphatic Fluorination

In the last six years, the direct functionalization of aliphatic C–H (and C–C) bonds through user-friendly, radical-based fluorination reactions has emerged as an exciting research area in fluorine chemistry. Considering the historical narratives about the challenges of developing practical radical fluorination in organic frameworks, notable advancements in controlling both reactivity and selectivity have been achieved during this time. As one of the participants in the field, herein, we a provide brief account of research efforts in our laboratory from the initial discovery of radical monofluorination on unactivated C–H bonds in 2012 to more useful strategies to install fluorine on biologically relevant molecules through directed fluorination methods. In addition, accompanying mechanistic studies that have helped guide reaction design are highlighted in context.