1,1-Difluoroethylated aromatics are of great importance in medicinal chemistry and related fields.

1,1‐Difluoroethylated aromatic compounds are of increasing importance in agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. The direct introduction of difluoroethyl (CF2CH3) group(s) onto aromatic rings using CH3CF2Cl, an inexpensive and available raw material, still remains a great challenge because of the relatively inert C−Cl bond of CH3CF2Cl. Herein, we disclose a nickel‐catalyzed 1,1‐difluoroethylation of (hetero)aryl halides with CH3CF2Cl. The reaction exhibits good functional‐group tolerance and is regarded as a practical method for synthesis of (1,1‐difluoroethyl)arenes.

A mild and efficient copper-mediated trifluoromethylation of diaryliodonium salts with readily available fluoroform has been developed. The reaction exhibits excellent functional group tolerance, affording trifluoromethylated arenes in good yields. This approach provides a straightforward incorporation of CF 3 group into complex molecules for drug discovery.

A mild and efficient nickel‐catalyzed 2,2‐difluoroethylation of (hetero)aryl halides with readily available 2‐chloro‐1,1‐difluoroethane has been developed. The reductive cross‐coupling reaction is synthetically simple and exhibits good functional group tolerance. This approach provides a facile access to synthesize 2,2‐difluoroethylated molecules for drug discovery.

1,1‐Difluoroethylated aromatic compounds are of increasing importance in drug design because the 1,1‐difluoroethyl group (CF2CH3) can function as a bioisostere of the methoxy group. Compounds such as those in the accompanying graphic may help combat viruses such as the Coronavirus, which has been affecting Wuhan and the entire world. Herein, we disclose a nickel‐catalyzed 1,1‐difluoroethylation of (hetero)aryl halides with CH3CF2Cl, an inexpensive and available raw material. The reaction exhibits good functional‐group tolerance and is regarded as a practical method for synthesis of (1,1‐difluoroethyl)arenes. Initial mechanism studies show that a 1,1‐difluoroethyl radical is involved in the current reaction. More information can be found in the Communication by Xinjin Li et al. on page 391 in Issue 3, 2020 (DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.202000004).