Current State of Microflow Trifluoromethylation Reactions

The trifluoromethyl group is a powerful structural motif in drugs and polymers; thus, developing trifluoromethylation reactions is an important area of research in organic chemistry. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in developing new methods for the trifluoromethylation of organic molecules, ranging from nucleophilic and electrophilic approaches to transition-metal catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrolytic reactions. While these reactions were initially developed in batch systems, more recent microflow versions are highly attractive for industrial applications owing to their scalability, safety, and time efficiency. In this review, we discuss the current state of microflow trifluoromethylation. Approaches for microflow trifluoromethylation based on different trifluoromethylation reagents are described, including continuous flow, flow photochemical, microfluidic electrochemical reactions, and large-scale microflow reactions.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Highly Stereoselective Trifluoromethylation and Difluoroalkylation of Secondary Propargyl Sulfonates

It is challenging to stereoselectively introduce a trifluoromethyl group (CF₃) into organic molecules. To date, only limited strategies involving direct asymmetric trifluoromethylation have been reported. Herein, we describe a new strategy for direct asymmetric trifluoromethylation through the copper‐catalyzed stereospecific trifluoromethylation of optically active secondary propargyl sulfonates. The reaction enables propargylic trifluoromethylation with high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity. The reaction could also be extended to stereospecific propargylic difluoroalkylation. Transformations of the resulting enantiomerically enriched fluoroalkylated alkynes led to a variety of chiral fluoroalkylated compounds, thus providing a useful protocol for applications in the synthesis of fluorinated complexes.     

Copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of terminal alkenes through allylic C-H bond activation

An unprecedented type of reaction for Cu-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of terminal alkenes is reported. This reaction represents a rare instance of catalytic trifluoromethylation through C(sp(3))-H activation. It also provides a mechanistically unique example of Cu-catalyzed allylic C-H activation/functionalization. Both experimental and theoretical analyses indicate that the trifluoromethylation may occur via a Heck-like four-membered-ring transition state.     

Ammonium bromides/KF catalyzed trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane and its application in the enantioselective trifluoromethylation reaction

The trifluoromethylation of aldehydes and ketones is a potentially powerful method to introduce the CF₃ moiety into organic molecules. In general, the trifluoromethylation reaction has been performed by treatment of Me₃SiCF₃ under initiation by TBAF, TBAT, TMAF as well as CsF. However, these commercially available fluorides are rather expensive and moisture sensitive. Potassium fluoride (KF) is an inexpensive and commonly used fluoride source and can be also used as an initiator for the trifluoromethylation, but the method suffers from the significant limitation that only DMF is available as a solvent. Therefore, novel methods are highly desirable for laboratory-scale as well as large-scale preparations. Here we wish to report a convenient procedure where a KF/TBAB combination acts as a catalyst for trifluoromethylation of aldehydes, ketones, and imides in a variety of organic solvents to provide trimethylsilyl-protected α-trifluoromethyl alcohols in good to high yields. Application of the method in the enantioselective trifluoromethylation is also discussed.     

Electrochemical initiation by sulfur dioxide of radical-chain trifluoromethylation processes of thiophenols with bromotrifluoromethane

Sulfur dioxide may serve as an efficient catalyst for the electrochemical trifluoromethylation of thiophenols by Freon F13B1 (CF₃Br), which enables implementation of trifluoromethylation in an energy-saving radical-chain regime.     

Trifluoromethylation of Alkyl Radicals: Breakthrough and Challenges†

Trifluoromethylation of alkyl radicals is emerging as a powerful tool for C(sp³)–CF₃ bond formations. Based on the hypothesis of CF₃ group transfer from Cu(II)–CF₃ to alkyl radicals, a number of trifluoromethylation reactions have been developed, including trifluoromethylation of alkyl halides, decarboxylative trifluoromethylation of aliphatic carboxylic acids, C(sp³)–H trifluoromethylation, amino‐ and carbo‐trifluoromethylation of alkenes, etc. Challenges in this intriguing field are also discussed.     

Zincate-type enolate for radical α-trifluoromethylation

Ketone zincate-type enolates can be applied to radical trifluoromethylation for the general synthesis of α-CF₃-ketones, cyclopentanones in particular. The addition of diethylzinc to lithium enolates is the key in the preparation of the zincate-type enolates for efficient radical trifluoromethylation.     

Recent advances in asymmetric fluorination and fluoroalkylation reactions via organocatalysis

The past decade has witnessed the significant advances of asymmetric organocatalytic fluorination, monofluoroalkylation, gem-difluoroalkylation, and trifluoromethylation. This digest summarizes the latest progress of these reactions. In the research area of asymmetric organocatalytic fluorination, a new catalysis concept, chiral anion phase-transfer catalysis strategy, has emerged and has proved to be highly efficient. Asymmetric organocatalytic monofluoroalkylation and gem-difluoroalkylation have been much less explored and the Lewis base/acid catalysis has been the most used strategy. Compared with electrophilic trifluoromethylation, nucleophilic trifluoromethylation has been intensively studied in the research field of asymmetric organocatalytic trifluoromethylation.     

Synthesis of novel C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers and their application to enantioselective trifluoromethylation of aldehydes and ketones

Synthesis of novel C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers and their application to enantioselective trifluoromethylation of aldehydes and ketones are discussed. The use of a series of C2-symmetric chiral crown ethers 2 or 3 derived from commercially available (R)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol for the enantioselective trifluoromethylation of 2-naphthyl aldehyde 1a with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane in the presence of a base was attempted. Iodo-substituted crown ether 2b was found to be the most effective in the model reaction. Moderate enantioselectivities were observed for the trifluoromethylation of both aryl or alkyl aldehydes and alkyl aryl ketones in 21-44% ees. Although the ees are still improvable, this is the first example of a chiral crown ether-catalyzed enantioselective trifluoromethylation reaction.     

Copper-catalyzed direct C-H oxidative trifluoromethylation of heteroarenes

This article describes the copper-catalyzed oxidative trifluoromethylation of heteroarenes and highly electron-deficient arenes with CF(3)SiMe(3) through direct C-H activation. In the presence of catalyst Cu(OAc)(2), ligand 1,10-phenanthroline and cobases tert-BuONa/NaOAc, oxidative trifluoromethylation of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles with CF(3)SiMe(3) proceeded smoothly using either air or di-tert-butyl peroxide as an oxidant to give the corresponding trifluoromethylated 1,3,4-oxadiazoles in high yields. Di-tert-butyl peroxide was chosen as the suitable oxidant for oxidative trifluoromethylation of 1,3-azoles and perfluoroarenes. Cu(OH)(2) and Ag(2)CO(3) were the best catalyst and oxidant for direct oxidative trifluoromethyaltion of indoles. The optimum reaction conditions enable oxidative trifluoromethylation of a range of heteroarenes that bear numerous functional groups. The prepared trifluoromethylated heteroarenes are of importance in the areas of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The preliminary mechanistic studies of these oxidative trifluoromethylations are also reported.     

Trifluoromethanesulfonic Anhydride as a Low‐Cost and Versatile Trifluoromethylation Reagent

A large number of reagents have been developed for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated compounds. However, an ongoing challenge in trifluoromethylation reaction is the use of less expensive and practical trifluoromethyl sources. We report herein the unprecedented direct trifluoromethylation of (hetero)arenes using trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride as a radical trifluoromethylation reagent by merging photoredox catalysis and pyridine activation. Furthermore, introduction of both the CF₃ and OTf groups of the trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride into internal alkynes to access tetrasubstituted trifluoromethylated alkenes was achieved. Since trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride is a low‐cost and abundant chemical, this method provides a cost‐efficient and practical route to trifluoromethylated compounds.     

N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds

[reaction: see text]. A novel N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed trifluoromethylation reaction of carbonyl compounds was discovered. Both enolizable and nonenolizable aldehydes and alpha-keto esters undergo facile trifluoromethylation with TMSCF3 at room temperature in the presence of only 0.5-1 mol % of the commercially available NHC (1), providing CF3-substituted alcohols in good yields. Selective trifluoromethylation of aldehydes over ketones can be achieved under NHC catalysis. These conditions are mild and simple and tolerate a variety of functional groups.     

Organocatalyzed regio- and enantioselective allylic trifluoromethylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts using Ruppert-Prakash reagent

The organocatalyzed regioselective allylic trifluoromethylation of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts using Ruppert-Prakash reagent was achieved in high to excellent yields via a successive S(N)2'/S(N)2' mode for the first time. The reaction was extended to the asymmetric allylic trifluoromethylation by the use of a bis-cinchona alkaloid catalyst with high enantioselectivities up to 94% ee.     

自由基三氟甲基化反应进展

近年来,三氟甲基化反应得到了快速的发展和广泛的关注,由于三氟甲基本身的一些特殊化学和物理性质,使得其在医药、农药和材料等领域发挥着越来越重要的作用。 随着有机氟化学的发展,对于自由基三氟甲基化反应也有了新的认识。 本文通过对不同的三氟甲基试剂作为三氟甲基自由基的前体,综述了近年来自由基三氟甲基化反应的研究进展,并予以展望。     

Silver‐Mediated Oxidative Trifluoromethylation of Phenols: Direct Synthesis of Aryl Trifluoromethyl Ethers

Aryl trifluoromethyl ethers (ArOCF₃) are prevalent in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. However, methods for the general and efficient synthesis of these compounds are extremely underdeveloped and limited. Herein, we describe a highly efficient and general procedure for the direct O‐trifluoromethylation of unprotected phenols through a silver‐mediated cross‐coupling reaction using CF₃SiMe₃ as the CF₃ source and exogenous oxidants. This novel oxidative trifluoromethylation provides access to a wide range of aryl trifluoromethyl ethers from simple phenols. The mild process was also applied to the late‐stage trifluoromethylation of a medicinally relevant compound.     

Radical trifluoromethylation of ketone silyl enol ethers by activation with dialkylzinc

[reaction: see text] The radical trifluoromethylation of ketone silyl enol ethers gave alpha-CF(3) ketones in good yields with wide scope of the ketonic substrates including acyclic ketones and cyclopentanone. The use of dialkylzinc to activate the silyl enol ethers is the key to the efficient radical trifluoromethylation.     

Radical trifluoromethylation of ketone Li enolates

It has generally been believed that highly basic Li enolates cannot be applied as substrates for radical trifluoromethylation due to defluorination of the α-CF₃ product. However, Li enolates can be in fact employed for radical trifluoromethylation. Moreover, the reaction is extremely fast and the minimum reaction time is only ∼1 s.     

Radical trifluoromethylation of titanium ate enolate

The radical trifluoromethylation of ketone titanium ate enolates gave alpha-CF3 ketones in good yields. The use of excess amount of LDA and Ti(OiPr)4 in the preparation of titanium ate enolates is the key to the efficient radical trifluoromethylation. [reaction: see text]     

Trifluoromethylation of Alkenes with Concomitant Introduction of Additional Functional Groups

The trifluoromethyl group is found in many synthetic bioactive compounds, and the difunctionalization of a C?C bond, as a powerful strategy for the construction of compounds with various functional groups, has been intensively investigated. Therefore, the difunctionalizing trifluoromethylation of alkenes has attracted growing interest because of the potential of the products as building blocks for bioactive molecules. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the trifluoromethylation of alkenes with concomitant introduction of additional functional groups.     

New hypervalent iodine reagents for electrophilic trifluoromethylation and their precursors: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

Several new five- and a six-membered heterocyclic monochloroiodanes, including two cationic species, were synthesized. Three of which were used for the preparation of corresponding trifluoromethylation reagents. These compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography for a comparative structural study. A reactivity study on the trifluoromethylation of para-toluenesulfonic acid has been conducted in order to compare initial rates. Compounds having a longer I-O bond display a higher reactivity.