Transition metal-free photocatalytic α-C-H trifluoromethylation of enaminones.

A metal-free photocatalytic α-C-H trifluoromethylation method for NH2- and NH-enaminones is reported. The reactions proceed under ambient conditions, eliminating the need for metal catalysts or additional oxidizing agents. A series of trifluoromethyl-substituted enaminones have been obtained with high efficiency and selectivity. Trifluoromethyl-substituted isoxazole and pyrazole compounds have been successfully synthesized by the transformation of these CF3-substituted enaminones.