We report herein an operationally simple method for the direct conversion of benzylic C–H groups to C–F. We show that visible light can activate diarylketones to abstract a benzylic hydrogen atom selectively. Adding a fluorine radical donor yields the benzylic fluoride and regenerates the catalyst. The selective formation of mono- and difluorination products can be achieved by catalyst-control. 9-Fluorenone catalyzes benzylic C–H monofluorination while xanthone catalyzes benzylic C–H difluorination. The scope and efficiency of this new C–H fluorination method are significantly better than those of the existing methods. This is also the first report of selective C–H gem-difluorination.

Photoexcited acetophenone can catalyze the fluorination of unactivated C(sp3)–H groups. While acetophenone, a colorless oil, only has a trace amount of absorption in the visible light region, its photoexcitation can be achieved by irradiation with light generated by a household compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). This operational simple method provides improved substrate scope for the direct incorporation of a fluorine atom into simple organic molecules. CFL-irradiation can also be used to promote certain classic UV-promoted photoreactions of colorless monoarylketones and enones/enals.

Vanadium complexes have been used extensively to catalyze olefin and alcohol oxidation. However, their application in C–H oxidation has not been well-studied. We report herein that commercially available Cp2VCl2 catalyzes benzylic C–H oxidation selectively and effectively, giving no aromatic oxidation products.

Vanadium(III) oxide catalyzes the direct fluorination of C(sp3)–H groups with Selectfluor. This reaction is operationally simple. The catalyst and the reaction byproduct can be removed easily by filtration. Using this method, a fluorine atom can be introduced to the tertiary position of 1,4-cineole and L-menthone selectively.

Photoexcited arylketones catalyze the direct chlorination of C(sp3)–H groups by N-chlorosuccinimide. Acetophenone is the most effective catalyst for functionalization of unactivated C–H groups while benzophenone provides better yields for benzylic C–H functionalization. Activation of both acetophenone and benzophenone can be achieved by irradiation with a household compact fluorescent lamp. This light-dependent reaction provides a better control of the reaction as compared to the traditional chlorination methods that proceed through a free radical chain propagation mechanism.