Transition-Metal-Free Synthesis of Polyfluoro-Polyarylmethanes via Direct Cross-Coupling of Polyfluoroarenes and Benzyl Chlorides.

The transition-metal-free direct cross-coupling between polyfluoroarenes and benzyl chlorides is reported. In this strategy, a variety of polyfluoro di-, tri- and tetra-arylmethanes was efficiently prepared with good to excellent yields in the presence of Mg turnings via a one-pot procedure. Significantly, this method provides a general approach for the synthesis of polyfluorinated polyarylmethanes.