Sunlight-driven trifluoromethylation of olefinic substrates by photoredox catalysis: A green organic process

The principles and utility of photoredox catalysis in organic synthesis are described. After a brief description of the features of the two types of catalytic photoredox processes following the reductive quenching cycle (RQC) and the oxidative quenching cycle (OQC), the discussion is focused on organic transformations based on OQC, in particular the trifluoromethylation of olefinic substrates with electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagents furnishing solvolytic addition products and substitution products. It is concluded that catalytic photoredox systems are green from the point of view of harmfulness, safety, and energy source (visible light, including sunlight). Future prospects of photoredox catalysis will be also discussed.