Direct perfluoroalkylation of non-activated aromatic C–H bonds of phenols

Abstract A simple procedure for the perfluoroalkylation of the aromatic ring of phenols under mildly basic conditions is described. Treatment of a variety of phenols with perfluoroalkyl iodide in the presence of the radical initiator V-70L and Cs 2 CO 3 provided the corresponding perfluoroalkylated products in moderate to good yields. Generally, the reaction proceeded smoothly at room temperature to yield regioselectively perfluoroalkylated products.