The
nucleophilic reactivity of α,α-difluorinated gem-diols toward activated pyridinium salts has been capitalized
in a highly regioselective fashion, offering biologically relevant
1,4-dihydropyridines and 3,4-dihydro-2-pyridones adorned with the
valuable gem-difluoromethylene motif. The protocol
is scalable as well as high yielding and accommodates a broad range
of substrates and functional groups. Additionally, the synthesis of
difluorinated oxa-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane frameworks has
been showcased through product diversification.