Photoinduced additive-free trifluoromethylation of aromatic aldehydes with TMSCF3

We report herein a new and effective method for additive-free trifluoromethylation of aromatic aldehydes with TMSCF3. Normal acidic hydrolysis for desilylation in the workup process is not required in this transformation. This reaction presents a new environmentally friendly protocol to access trifluoromethylated benzyl alcohols.