Photoredox Activation of Organozinc Reagents: Barbier-Type Reaction of Alkyl Halides with α-(Trifluoromethyl)styrenes.

Organozinc reagents may be activated under blue light irradiation using an organic photocatalyst to generate alkyl radicals. The radicals are trapped by α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes leading to gem-difluorinated products after elimination of fluoride. The reaction can be conveniently performed under Barbier conditions starting from organic iodides and bromides and elemental zinc.