Synthesis of β‐Trifluoromethylated Ketones from Propargylic Alcohols by Visible Light Photoredox Catalysis

Regioselective trifluoromethylation at a remote position represents an important challenge in the development of biologically active molecules and functional materials. A practical method to access β-trifluoromethyl ketones from readily available propargylic alcohols by visible light photocatalysis has been developed. Trifluoromethylation of propargylic alcohols with CF3I in the presence of Ru(bpy)3Cl2 as the photocatalyst followed by double-bond migration/keto-enol tautomerization provides β-trifluoromethyl ketones as the final product.