AgI-Promoted Difluoromethylation of Isocyanides To Give Difluoromethylated Phenanthridines.

An AgI-mediated ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of isocyanides has been developed. This radical cascade reaction involves the addition of difluoromethylene radical to the isocyanide functionality, and subsequent homolytic aromatic substitution to give difluoromethylated phenanthridines with a good functional-group tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]