Visible-light-induced radical cyclization of N-allylbenzamide with [Bis(difluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene to difluoromethylated dihydroisoquinolinones

A visible light-induced radical difluoromethylation of N-allylbenzamide by [bis(difluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene to prepare difluoromethylated dihydroisoquinolinones was developed for the first time. To facilitate the oxidative aromatization step, PhI(OAc)2 was employed as oxidant. The inexpensive and readily accessible reagents and the mild reaction conditions render this method an efficient and practical strategy for the synthesis of difluoromethylated dihydroisoquinolinones.