Direct Trifluoromethylation of the CH Bond

Palladium-Catalyzed Monofluoromethylation of Arylboronic Esters with Fluoromethyl Iodide

The first palladium-catalyzed direct monofluoromethylation of arylboronic esters to produce monofluoromethyl arenes is reported. The reaction is typically carried out at room temperature within 4 h and has a good functional group tolerance. The monofluoromethylating agent, CH2FI, was readily prepared via a halogen-exchange process.

Recent advances in trifluoromethylation of organic compounds using Umemoto's reagents

The incorporation of fluorine-containing moieties into organic compounds is of great importance in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and materials science. Within these organofluorides, the trifluoromethyl group is one of the most important motifs. In recent years, the trifluoromethyl group has attracted more and more attention, and many trifluoromethylated compounds have been found to possess special activities. However, until now, only a few methods have been developed to achieve this efficiently using Umemoto's reagents. This review highlights recent developments in the direct introduction of a trifluoromethyl group into organic compounds with Umemoto's reagents. Seven approaches to the trifluoromethylation of organic compounds are summarized: (i) trifluoromethylation of arenes, (ii) trifluoromethylation of alkenes, (iii) trifluoromethylation of terminal alkynes, (iv) deoxygenative trifluoromethylation of benzylic xanthates, (v) trifluoromethylation of ketoesters, (vi) trifluoromethylation of aryl boronic acids and aromatic amines (synthesis of ArCF3) and (vii) trifluoromethylation of biphenyl isocyanide derivatives.

Palladium-catalyzed C-H ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation of electron-rich heteroarenes

The first Pd-catalyzed C-H ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylation with BrCF2CO2Et has been developed. The use of a bidentate phosphine ligand (Xantphos) is critical for the reaction to occur. A variety of electron-rich heteroarenes, including indoles, furans, thiophenes, and pyrroles, can be ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylated in moderate to excellent yields. The reactions take place at the C-H bonds adjacent to the heteroatoms with high regioselectivity. This method provides a new protocol for the introduction of difuoroalkyl groups into electron-rich heteroarenes.

Regioselective oxidative trifluoromethylation of imidazoheterocycles via C(sp2)-H bond functionalization

Catalytic oxidative trifluoromethylation of imidazopyridines has been carried out at room temperature through the functionalization of the sp(2) C-H bond employing Langlois reagent under ambient air. A library of 3-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with broad functionalities have been synthesized regioselectively. This methodology is also applicable to imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole and benzo[d]imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole.

Copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of organic zinc reagents with an electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagent

Trifluoromethylation of aryl and alkyl zinc reagents under mild conditions was described.

First efficient synthesis of SF5-substituted pyrrolidines using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with pentafluorosulfanyl-substituted acrylic esters and amides

Di-, tri- and tetrasubstituted pentafluorosulfanylated pyrrolidines have been efficiently synthetized via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides.

Catalytic generation of α-CF3 enolate: direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich-type reaction of α-CF3 amide

The introduction of the CF3 unit is a common strategy for modifying pharmacokinetic properties and slowing metabolic degradation in medicinal chemistry. A catalytic and enantioselective addition of α-CF3 enolates allows for expeditious access to functionalized chiral building blocks with CF3-containing stereogenicity. To date, α-CF3 enolates have been a less explored class of nucleophiles because of rapid defluorination. The present study reveals that a designed α-CF3 amide enables a direct asymmetric Mannich-type reaction in a cooperative catalytic system.

Silver-catalyzed C-H trifluoromethylation of arenes using trifluoroacetic acid as the trifluoromethylating reagent

Direct trifluoromethylation of arenes using TFA as the trifluoromethylating reagent was achieved with Ag as the catalyst. This reaction not only provides a new protocol for aryl C-H trifluoromethylation, but the generation of CF3· from TFA may prove useful in other contexts and could potentially be extended to other trifluoromethylation reactions.

TiF4-mediated regioselective cycloaddition of 2-(trifluoromethyl)-N-tosylaziridine to nitriles

We report the first [3 + 2] cycloaddition of 2-(trifluoromethyl)-N-tosylaziridine to nitriles using TiF4 as an effective Lewis acid under mild reaction conditions. The reaction proceeded smoothly and afforded the corresponding 4-(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-imidazolines in good yields and with excellent regioselectivity.

Recent progress in direct introduction of fluorinated groups on alkenes and alkynes by means of C-H bond functionalization

The direct introduction of fluorine and fluorinated building blocks has recently attracted a lot of attention and particularly the direct functionalization of alkenes and alkynes. This review will highlight the major progress recently made in that field, with a focus on photocatalyzed transformations, base-promoted processes, and transition metal-catalyzed functionalization of alkenes and alkynes. Special attention will be paid to explanations of the reaction mechanisms.

Copper-free direct C-H trifluoromethylation of acetanilides with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate

A copper-free direct C-H ortho trifluoromethylation of electron-deficient 4-substituted acetanilides using Langlois reagent (NaSO2CF3) as the CF3 source in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBuOOH, TBHP) was developed.

Copper-catalyzed β-trifluoromethylation of conjugated hydrazones

The Cu-catalyzed direct β-trifluoromethylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde N,N-dibenzylhydrazones with Togni hypervalent iodine reagent is described. The reaction yields stereodefined CF3-alkenyl derivatives under mild conditions and is proposed to proceed via a radical process.