Synthesis of 1-Difluoroalkylated Isoquinolines via Palladium-Catalyzed Radical Cascade Difluoroalkylation-Cyclization of Vinyl Isocyanides with Bromodifluoroacetic Derivatives.

A general method was developed for the synthesis of 1-difluoroalkyl isoquinolines via the palladium-catalyzed radical cascade difluoroalkylation-cyclization of vinyl isocyanides with bromodifluoroacetic derivatives. The difluoroalkylated cyclization products were readily converted to various other valuable gem-difluoro-containing compounds.