A nickel-catalyzed coupling reaction of α-bromo-α-fluoroketones with arylboronic acids was reported, which provides an efficient pathway to access 2-fluoro-1,2-diarylethanones in high yields. We also disclosed the synthesis of the monofluorination agents α-bromo-α-fluoroketones by using a trifluoroacetate release protocol. Mechanistic investigation indicated that a monofluoroalkyl radical is involved in the catalytic circle. Moreover, an important medical intermediate of flindokalner was synthesized via a nickel-catalyzed coupling reaction of α-bromo-α-fluoro-2-indolone and boronic ester.

A novel asymmetric copper-catalyzed intermolecular cyanobenzoyldifluoromethylation of alkenes with iododifluoromethyl ketones and TMSCN has been reported, which provides a particularly valuable route to access chiral β-difluoroacyl nitriles with excellent enantioselectivities. The method permits the efficient cyanation of varied β-difluoroacyl-benzylic radicals in mild conditions with high functional group tolerance. The reaction proceeds through a radical pathway. In order to get insight into the stereochemical outcome, computational mechanistic studies were conducted.

A Cu(I)‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of 2‐iodo‐2,2‐difluoroacetophenones, alkynes, and TMSCN is described. The reaction provided a facile method for the synthesis of difluoroacyl‐substituted nitriles, which might be served as potentially useful fluoroorganic intermediates for further transformation in drug discovery. This method has broad substrate scope, good efficiency, and excellent stereoselectivity. Preliminary mechanistic investigation indicated that a radical‐mediated process was involved in this cyanodifluoroalkylation reaction.

The Front Cover quotes a Chinese fairy tale “Journey to the West”. Sun wukong, a famous Chinese mythological character with great ability was compared to the reaction carrier, which could conduct the reaction and gave the important halofluoroketone reagent. Then, the reagent rode on a Kintoun cloud, which represents the transformation and carries the C−F bond to the top of Mount Everest. More information can be found in the Research Article by J. Wu, F. Wu et al.

A convenient and versatile synthesis of α‐halo‐α‐fluoroketones, including α‐iodo‐α‐fluoroketones, α‐bromo‐α‐fluoroketones and α‐chloro‐α‐fluoroketones by using Wu–Colby's protocol involving the release of trifluoroacetate was reported. The ketones’ application as monofluoroalkyl building blocks was explored through coupling and radical reactions. The results indicated that α‐iodo‐α‐fluoroketones are the most popular reagents to construct diverse valuable single‐fluorinated molecules.