Relatively low reactivity hinders using chlorodifluoromethane (ClCF2H) for general difluoromethylation with organic molecules, despite its availability as an inexpensive industrial chemical. Here, we describe a strategy for difluoromethylation of aromatics through nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of ClCF2H with readily accessible (hetero)aryl chlorides.

More Details: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03532-1

A Story Behind the Paper: https://chemistrycommunity.nature.com/channels/1465-behind-the-paper/posts/31496-a-journey-to-the-activation-of-chlorodifluoromethane-clcf2h