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A visible light-induced S-F bond activation of sulfur fluoride exchange (SuFEx) reagents to generate alkyl sulfones is described. The method is free of transition metals and relies on the use of commercially available commodity chemicals. In addition, this method demonstrates the first photoredox functionalization of SuFEx reagents. The reaction has a diverse substrate scope, with applications in various aryl sulfonyl fluorides, both activated and unactivated alkenes.

An aryl disulfide mediated C-F bond activation of the trifluoromethyl group to generate valuable gem- difluoroalkylindoles is described. This method relies on readily available commodity reagents under mild reaction conditions and represents the first transition-metal-free redox-neutral C-F bond activation strategy. The reaction employs various substituted indoles and α-fluoro-substituted esters. Further, this mode of C-F activation was also amenable to the activation of trifluoromethylated arenes for the preparation of bis -benzylic gem -difluoromethylenes between indole and arene substructures, providing access to a unique chemical space.