A visible-light-mediated Paternò-Büchi reaction of alkenes with methyl trifluoropyruvate was developed, enabling efficient access to CF3-substituted oxetanes via triplet-energy-transfer catalysis. The protocol features broad substrate scope, excellent regio- and diastereoselectivity, mild conditions, and scalability.
Mechanistic investigations support a stepwise cycloaddition pathway involving preferential sensitization of the carbonyl partner, providing valuable fluorinated building blocks for medicinal chemistry.

This work was carried out in the group of Prof. Dr. Dmitry Katayev.

References:

• Y. Zhu, A. J. Fernandes, E. Zhilin, D. Katayev;
  "Triplet Energy Transfer-Mediated Intermolecular Paternò-Büchi Reaction for the Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Oxetanes"
  Org. Lett., 2026, 28(11), 3388-3393; doi:10.1021/acs.orglett.6c00113.