Silver-catalyzed decarboxylative radical relay difluoroalkylation–carbocyclization: convenient access to CF2-containing quinolinones

We report a practical Ag-catalyzed decarboxylative difluoroalkylation–carbocyclization reaction. Various structurally diverse gem-fluorinated quinolinones were obtained in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic studies suggested that the catalytic system involved a formal decarboxylation and subsequent radical difluoroalkylation–carbocyclization pathway.