Visible-Light-Assisted Gold-Catalyzed Fluoroarylation of Allenoates

A strategically novel synthetic method for the fluoroarylation of allenic ester was developed that enables the expedient construction of a host of β-fluoroalkyl-containing cinnamate derivatives. The reaction proceeds through visible-light-promoted gold redox catalysis, occurs smoothly under very mild reaction conditions, accommodates a large variety of functional groups, and more importantly allows the incorporation of fluorine and aryl groups with excellent regio- and stereoselectivity. The concomitant activation mode for both the allene motif and the hydrogen fluoride is key for the success of the reaction.