Asymmetric Synthesis of SCF3-Substituted Alkylboronates by Copper-Catalyzed Hydroboration of 1-Trifluoromethylthioalkenes

A synthetic method for preparation of optically active trifluoromethylthio (SCF3) compounds by a copper-catalyzed regio- and enantioselective hydroboration of 1-trifluoromethylthioalkenes with H-Bpin has been developed. The enantioselective hydrocupration of an in situ generated CuH species and subsequent boration reaction generate a chiral SCF3-containing alkylboronate, of which Bpin moiety can be further transformed to deliver various optically active SCF3 molecules. Computational studies suggest that the SCF3 group successfully controls the regioselectivity in the reaction.

A Toolbox of Reagents for Trifluoromethylthiolation: From Serendipitous Findings to Rational Design

Two types of electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagents were developed in the past 10 years in our laboratory. The development of the first type of reagent, trifluoromethanesulfenate I, which is highly reactive toward a variety of nucleophiles, was based on an unexpected discovery in the initial design for the development of an electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent with a hypervalent iodine skeleton. A structure-activity study disclosed that α-cumyl trifluoromethanesulfenate (reagent II) without the iodo substituent is equally effective. Subsequent derivatization let us develop an α-cumyl bromodifluoromethanesulfenate III that could be used for the preparation of [¹⁸F]ArSCF₃. To remediate the low reactivity of the type I electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent for Friedel-Crafts trifluoromethylthiolation of electron-rich (hetero)arenes, we designed and prepared N-trifluoromethylthiosaccharin IV, which exhibits broad reactivity toward various nucleophiles, including electron-rich arenes. A comparison of the structure of N-trifluoromethylthiosaccharin IV with that of N-trifluoromethylthiophthalimide showed that the replacement of one carbonyl group in N-trifluoromethylthiophthalimide with a sulfonyl group made N-trifluoromethylthiosaccharin IV much more electrophilic. Thus, the replacement of both carbonyls with two sulfonyl groups would further increase the electrophilicity. Such a rationale prompted us to design and develop the current most electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent, N-trifluoromethylthiodibenzenesulfonimide V, and its reactivity was much higher than that of N-trifluoromethylthiosaccharin IV. We further developed an optically pure electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagent, (1S)-(-)-N-trifluoromethylthio-2,10-camphorsultam VI, for the preparation of optically active trifluoromethylthio-substituted carbon stereogenic centers. Reagents I-VI now constitute a powerful toolbox for the introduction of the trifluoromethylthio group into the target molecules.

Direct Synthesis of Disubstituted Trifluoromethylthiolated Alkenes

In the field of organofluorine chemistry, the quest for emergent fluorinated groups is in high demand. In particular, the scientific community has shown special interest in the SCF3 residue thanks to its unique properties. Indeed, over the last decade, the SCF3 group has become a pivotal fluorinated moiety, as demonstrated by several SCF3-containing compounds of interest, and, related to that, the steadily increasing number of synthetic methods that are available to access such molecules. In this Short Review, the main advances made for the synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated disubstituted alkenes will be discussed and highlighted.

1 Introduction

2 Trifluoromethylthiolation of Prefunctionalized Alkenes

3 Direct C–H Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkenes

4 Trifluoromethylthiolation of Miscellaneous Derivatives

5 Conclusion

Synthesis of N-Trifluoromethanesulfinyl Ketimines by Cascade Trifluoromethylthiolation/Rearrangement of Ketoximes

A new and efficient cascade electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolation/radical rearrangement reaction of ketoximes is reported using N-trifluoromethylthio-dibenzenesulfonimide as the SCF₃ source without any additives. This simple one-pot reaction provides the corresponding N-trifluoromethanesulfinyl ketimine products in good yields with high E selectivity under mild reaction conditions.

Divergent Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl Sulfoxides and β-SCF3 Carbonyl Compounds by Tandem Trifluoromethylthiolation/Rearrangement of Allylic and Propargylic Alcohols

A selenium-catalyzed trifluoromethylthiolation/[2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of tertiary allylic and propargylic alcohols which could provide straightforward and facile access to trifluoromethyl sulfoxides was developed. Various allylic and allenic trifluoromethyl sulfoxides were obtained with moderate to excellent yields. Meanwhile, a Lewis acid mediated trifluoromethylthiolation/1,2-rearrangement to synthesize β-SCF₃ carbonyl compounds was also accomplished. These two tandem reactions feature with mild reaction conditions and metal-free. During these two reactions, the chemoselectivity of electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolation was revealed.

Chlorotrifluoromethylthiolation of Sulfur Ylides for the Formation of Tetrasubstituted Trifluoromethylthiolated Alkenes

Tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylthiolated alkenes can be accomplished directly through the chlorotrifluoromethylthiolation of sulfur ylides utilizing nucleophilic halide reagent and electrophilic SCF₃ reagent. This cascade reaction is mild, highly practical, easy to manipulate, uses catalyst-free conditions, and demonstrates a wide substrate range with excellent functional group tolerance, furnishing E-selective products in good to high yields. The synthetic utility of this approach is documented through gram-scale preparation and late-stage modification of pharmaceutically relevant compounds, making it suitable for drug discovery.

[(bpy)CuSCF3]: A Practical and Efficient Reagent for the Construction of C–SCF3 Bonds

In this account, we summarize recent work on the direct introduction of the SCF3 group by using [(bpy)CuSCF3] as trifluoromethylthiolating reagent. A number of efficient and convenient strategies have been disclosed for the synthesis of trifluoromethylthiolated compounds, including trifluoromethylthiolation of aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl halides, and arylboronic acids. These reactions afford various trifluoromethyl sulfides in good yields.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of [(bpy)CuSCF3]

3 Trifluoromethylthiolation of Aryl Halides

4 Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkenyl Halides

5 Trifluoromethylthiolation of Alkyl Halides

6 Miscellaneous

7 Conclusion

Facile synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthio phosphonium ylides with a constrained trifluoromethylthiooxide via a proton-transfer procedure

Synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthio(CF₃S–)phosphonium ylides is easily accomplished with a constrained trifluoromethylthiooxide via a proton-transfer procedure without extra base.

TfOH-promoted transformation of TMS-ethers of diarylsubstituted CF3-allyl alcohols with arenes into CF3-indanes

Novel synthesis of 1,3-diaryl-1-trifluoromethyl indanes, having predominantly a trans-configuration of aryl groups, was developed on the basis of the reaction of TMS-ethers of 2,4-diaryl-1,1,1-trifluorobut-3-en-2-ols with arenes in superacid TfOH.

Synthesis of Sulfur Perfluorophenyl Compounds Using a Pentafluorobenzenesulfonyl Hypervalent Iodonium Ylide

A novel pentafluorobenzenesulfonyl hypervalent iodonium ylide 3 was designed and synthesized as a useful tool for the preparation of sulfur pentafluorophenyl compounds containing a C₆F₅S or C₆F₅SO₂ unit. Electrophilic pentafluorophenylthiolation of enamines, formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of nitriles and alkynes, and intramolecular S_NAr cyclization were achieved using iodonium ylide 3. The fluoro-click reaction was also demonstrated using one of the products via an intermolecular S_NAr reaction with heterocentered nucleophiles.

A Diheteroatom Fluoroalkylation Reagent for Preparation of S- and N-Containing Fluoroalkyl Compounds and Sulfonic Acid Polymer

The first stable diheteroatom fluoroalkylation reagent, 2-((2-azido-1-chloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethyl)thio)pyrimidine (ACTP), has been prepared by a novel method. By using this reagent, various fluorinated thioethers and sulfones have been successfully prepared. The dearylation and dearylation-oxidation of fluoroalkyl 2-pyrimidyl sulfone in one-pot reaction were investigated systematically, and the results demonstrated that both fluoroalkyl sulfinates and sulfonates could be obtained in high yields. In addition, ACTP proved to be useful for the preparation of a fluorinated sulfonic acid proton-exchange membrane.

Tandem trifluoromethylthiolation/aryl migration of aryl alkynoates to trifluoromethylthiolated alkenes

The oxidative trifluoromethylthiolation of aryl alkynoates with AgSCF₃ provided a new access to trifluoromethylthiolated alkenes.

Direct copper-catalyzed oxidative trifluoromethylthiolation of aryl boronic acids with AgSCF3

A copper-catalyzed direct oxidative trifluoromethylthiolation of aryl boronic acids with AgSCF₃ has been developed.

N-Trifluoromethylthio-dibenzenesulfonimide: A Shelf-Stable, Broadly Applicable Electrophilic Trifluoromethylthiolating Reagent

The super electrophilicity of a shelf-stable, easily prepared trifluoromethylthiolating reagent N-trifluoromethylthio-dibenzenesulfonimide 7 was demonstrated. Consistent with the theoretical prediction, 7 exhibits reactivity remarkably higher than that of other known electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagents. In the absence of any additive, 7 reacted with a wide range of electron-rich arenes and activated heteroarenes under mild conditions. Likewise, reactions of 7 with styrene derivatives can be fine-tuned by simply changing the reaction solvents to generate trifluoromethylthiolated styrenes or oxo-trifluoromethylthio or amino-trifluoromethylthio difunctionalized compounds in high yields.

Difluoromethanesulfonyl hypervalent iodonium ylides for electrophilic difluoromethylthiolation reactions under copper catalysis

Difluoromethanesulfonyl hypervalent iodonium ylides 2 were developed as electrophilic difluoromethylthiolation reagents for a wide range of nucleophiles. Enamines, indoles, β-keto esters, silyl enol ethers and pyrroles were effectively reacted with 2 affording desired difluoromethylthio (SCF2H)-substituted compounds in good to high yields under copper catalysis. The reaction of allyl alcohols with 2 under the same conditions provided difluoromethylsulfinyl (S(O)CF2H) products in good yields. The difluoromethylthiolation of enamines is particularly effective with wide generality, thus the enamine method was nicely extended to the synthesis of a series of difluoromethythiolated cyclic and acyclic β-keto esters, 1,3-diketones, pyrazole and pyrimidine derivatives by a consecutive, two-step one-pot reaction using 2.

Visible-Light-Promoted Trifluoromethylthiolation of Styrenes by Dual Photoredox/Halide Catalysis

Herein, we report a new visible-light-promoted strategy to access radical trifluoromethylthiolation reactions by combining halide and photoredox catalysis. This approach allows for the synthesis of vinyl-SCF3 compounds of relevance in pharmaceutical chemistry directly from alkenes under mild conditions with irradiation from household light sources. Furthermore, alkyl-SCF3-containing cyclic ketone and oxindole derivatives can be accessed by radical-polar crossover semi-pinacol and cyclization processes. Inexpensive halide salts play a crucial role in activating the trifluoromethylthiolating reagent towards photoredox catalysis and aid the formation of the SCF3 radical.

2-Diazo-1-phenyl-2-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)ethan-1-one: Another Utility for Electrophilic Trifluoromethylthiolation Reactions

2‐Diazo‐1‐phenyl‐2‐((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)ethan‐1‐one (diazo‐triflone) (2) is not only a building block but also a reagent. In this study, diazo‐triflone, which was originally used for the synthesis of β‐lactam triflones as a trifluoromethanesulfonyl (SO₂CF₃) building block under catalyst‐free thermal conditions, is redisclosed as an effective electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolation reagent under copper catalysis. A broad set of enamines, indoles, β‐keto esters, pyrroles, and anilines were nicely transformed into corresponding trifluoromethylthio (SCF₃) compounds in good to high yields by diazo‐triflone under copper catalysis via an electrophilic‐type reaction. A coupling‐type trifluoromethylthiolation reaction of aryl iodides was also realized by diazo‐triflone in acceptable yields.

Quantitative Scale for the Trifluoromethylthio Cation-Donating Ability of Electrophilic Trifluoromethylthiolating Reagents

A new parameter, trifluoromethylthio cation-donating ability (Tt(+)DA), is introduced as a quantitative descriptor for the propensity of electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolating reagents to transfer a CF3S moiety in organic synthesis. The first Tt(+)DA scale of popular reagents has been established through DFT calculations. Excellent correlation has been identified between the Tt(+)DAs of N-SCF3-type reagents and the pKa of the corresponding acids, offering a powerful avenue for the rational design of novel reagents.