Shahboz & team show how benzoyl groups serve as photosensitizing catalysts and auxiliaries for the remote C(sp3)-H fluorination of complex molecules.
The Gschwind group (Willi Stockerl) made a big contribution in pinning down the role of the 4-fluoro atom of the auxiliary - this allows the benzoyl to de-aggregate SelectFluor and shortens the induction period!
The auxiliary method allows fluorination in higher efficiency, tolerates free amines and alcohols and even permits reactions on gram scale, in air! Showing generality of the concept, the benzoyl auxiliary also works in [2+2]-photocycloadditions, allowing them to proceed in air. Congrats to the team!
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