Visible-light-induced trifluoroacetylation reaction of electron-deficient nitrogen heterocycles

The direct C–H trifluoroacetylation of electron-deficient nitrogen heterocycles remains a longstanding challenge with conventional reagents, owing to the inherent instability of the trifluoroacetyl radical and its polarity mismatch with electron-deficient substrates. Here, a novel method for the trifluoroacetylation of electron-deficient nitrogen heterocycles has been developed; under visible-light irradiation, the protocol operates without the need for cumbersome substrate pre-functionalization, expensive catalysts, transition metals, or additional additives. This approach enables the efficient trifluoroacetylation of diverse substrates, including pyridine, quinoline, quinoxalinone, chromone, and azauracil, and exhibits broad functional group tolerance and versatility, rendering it highly suitable for the late-stage functionalization of various bioactive molecules. By overcoming the polarity-mismatch limitation, this strategy addresses the longstanding challenge of direct C–H trifluoroacetylation of electron-deficient nitrogen heterocycles and aligns with the principles of sustainable chemistry.