Visible-light-enabled ruthenium-catalyzed para-C−H difluoroalkylation of anilides

Visible-light-mediated para-C–H difluoroalkylation of anilides via combination of steric effects and Lewis acid activation strategies has been developed. The addition of (C6H5O)2P(O)OH and Ag2CO3 properly tune the redox potential of ruthenium catalyst and leads to mild reaction conditions. The protocol exhibits broad functional group tolerance and allows the late-stage functionalization of complex bioactive molecules.