Photochemical trifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes with trifluoromethylsulfonyl-pyridinium salt via remote quinazolinone migration under catalyst-free conditions.

A novel photochemical trifluoromethylation method has been developed for the functionalization of unactivated alkenes. This approach employs trifluoromethylsulfonyl-pyridinium salt as the trifluoromethyl radical precursor, and proceeds through a photoredox pathway. The reaction mechanism involves remote quinazolinone migration. This entirely metal- and catalyst-free methodology provides an efficient and environmentally sustainable route for the synthesis of distal trifluoromethyl-substituted ketones.