Celite-Catalyzed Mechanochemical C-H Bond Trifluoromethylation and Pentafluoroethylation

The late-stage trifluoromethylation of C‒H bonds in (hetero)arenes is an important tool in the development of novel pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals, which typically relies on the use of electrophilic trifluoromethylating rea-gents in bulk solvent with or without a catalyst, while mechanochemical approaches rely on the use of piezoelectric materials. Herein, we describe a mechanochemical approach, in which celite, diatomaceous earth or biogenic sand activated through ball milling induce C‒H bond perfluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported reaction promoted by mechanoactivated Celite, along a number of Earth-abundant metal oxides and carbonates, including non-piezoelectric solids. This approach offers environmentally benign, Nature-inspired materials as efficient mechanoactivators and conceptually broadens the scope of mechanoactivated solids to the mate-rials previously deemed inert.