Divergent pentafluoroethylation of styrene derivatives using CuCF2CF3†

A series of pentafluoroethylation reactions of styrene derivatives are described using the [CuCF₂CF₃] reagent prepared from low-cost pentafluoroethane (HCF₂CF₃). Under aerobic conditions, chloropentafluoroethylation, dimerization-pentafluoroethylation, vinylic pentafluoroethylation, formyloxylation-pentafluoroethylation and hydroxypentafluoroethylation can be achieved using styrenes to generate various functionalized products containing the CF₂CF₃ group. It is remarkable that a single reagent is capable of such divergent reactivities with readily available feedstocks.