Photocatalytic C−F Bond Activation of Fluoroarenes, gem‐Difluoroalkenes and Trifluoromethylarenes

Abstract Fluorine‐containing compounds have been widely applied on pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. The synthetic methodology for the introduction of fluorine into organic motifs has witnessed dramatically development recently. Selective C−F bond activation and functionalization of the easily accessible fluorinated compounds has provided an efficient way to synthesize novel fluorinated products and degradate the extremely stable fluorinated pollutants. As the development of photocatalytic organic transformations, the light induced direct C−F bond activation under mild conditions leading to the production of various functionalities has become one of the most advanced and efficient methodologies available. This minireview summarizes the recent development of the photocatalytic C−F bond activations of fluorinated compounds, including fluoroarenes, gem ‐difluoroalkenes and trifluoromethylarenes, and intends to illustrate the readers a comprehensive introduction of this research topic via demonstrating the representative examples and detailed mechanism according to reaction types for the C−F bond transformations.