A new method for the direct perfluoroalkylation of an aromatic sp2 carbon in phenol derivatives has been developed. The novel perfluoroalkylation protocol described herein involves the use of a radical initiator V-70L, which allows the reaction to be carried out at room temperature, and cesium carbonate as the mild base. Treatment of a variety of phenols with perfluoroalkyliodide in the presence of cesium carbonate and V-70L provided the corresponding perfluoroalkylated products in moderate to good yields. The reaction generally proceeds smoothly at room temperature to yield regioselective perfluoroalkylated products.
