Controlled monodefluorination and alkylation of C(sp³)–F bonds by lanthanide photocatalysts: importance of metal–ligand cooperativity

The controlled functionalization of a single fluorine in a CF 3 group is difficult and rare. Photochemical C–F bond functionalization is achieved using catalysts made from a range of earth-abundant lanthanides by using a ligand that enables M–L cooperativity.