Recent progress in the direct monofluoromethylation of C–H bonds
RSC Advances, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Review
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1039/d5ra10069k
- Journal Name: RSC Advances
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Fluorine chemistry is of critical importance in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and materials industries, as the incorporation of fluorine atoms or fluorine-containing groups into organic compounds can significantly enhance their chemical and physical properties. Among these groups, the monofluoromethyl (CH2F) group has emerged as a distinctive fluorine motif, serving as a metabolically stable and lipophilic bioisostere for functional groups such as NH2, OH, and SH, and making it a privileged structural unit in drug discovery. As a result, considerable attention has recently been directed toward developing new and practical methods for introducing this group into organic molecules. In this regard, the direct monofluoromethylation of C–H bonds has recently emerged as an ideal strategy, as it does not require pre-functionalized starting materials and allows for more efficient and streamlined synthetic routes. This review highlights recent advances in this area, with particular emphasis on the mechanistic aspects of the reactions.