Pentakis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, a sterically crowded and electron-withdrawing group: synthesis and acidity of pentakis(trifluoromethyl)benzene, -toluene, -phenol, and -aniline

A general route to functionalized pentakis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (C6(CF3)5) derivatives, promising building blocks for designing novel stable carbenes, radical species, superacids, weakly coordinating anions and other practically and theoretically useful species, is presented. This pertrifluoromethylation route proceeds via conveniently pregenerated (trifluoromethyl)copper (CF3Cu) species in DMF, stabilized by addition of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI). These species react with hexaiodobenzene at ambient temperature to give the potassium pentakis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxide along with hexakis(trifluoromethyl)benzene and pentakis(trifluoromethyl)benzene in a combined yield of 80%. A possible reaction pathway explaining the formation of pentakis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxide is proposed. Pentakis(trifluoromethyl)phenol gives rise to easily functionalized pentakis(trifluoromethyl)chlorobenzene and pentakis(trifluoromethyl)aniline. Pertrifluoromethylation of pentaiodochlorobenzene and pentaiodotoluene allows straightforward access to pentakis(trifluoromethyl)chlorobenzene and pentakis(trifluoromethyl)toluene, respectively. XRD structures of several C6(CF3)5 derivatives were determined and compared with the calculated structures. Due to the steric crowding the aromatic rings in all C6(CF3)5 derivatives are significantly distorted. The gas-phase acidities (Delta Gacid) and pKa values in different solvents (acetonitrile (AN), DMSO, water) for the title compounds and a number of related compounds have been measured. The origin of the acidifying effect of the C6(CF3)5 group has been explored using the isodesmic reactions approach.     

Synthesis and photochemical reaction of 1,4-dialkyl-7-oxa-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)bicyclohepta-2,5-diene

Diels-Alder reaction of 2,5-dialkyl-3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)furan with hexafluoro-2-butyne gave 1,4-dialkyl-7-oxa-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)bicyclohepta-2,5-diene. Irradiation (uv) of 1,4-diethyl-7-oxa-2,3,5,6-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)bicyclohepta-2,5-diene afforded 1-ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,4-cyclopentadiene, ethyl 3-[l-ethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,4-cyclopentadienyl] ketone, and 2,7-diethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)oxepin.     

The synthesis of new valence-bond isomers of pentakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-diazepine

A new valence-bond isomer of pentakis(trifluoromethyl)-1,3-diazepine was synthesized from tris(trifluoromethyl)cyclopropenyl trifluoromethyl ketone, and reacted with diazomethane to give an N-methylated product.     

Photoisomerization of bis(trifluoromethyl)thiophenes

The photolysis of 2,3-bis(trifluoromethyl)thiophene gave an equilibrium mixture of 2,3- and 3,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)Dewar thiophenes, while that of 2,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)thiophene gave 2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-thiophene, which seemed to be formed through an intermediate other than the Dewar form.     

Reactions of bis(trifluoromethyl)nitroxyl with (CF3)3M (M=P,Sb) and properties of bis(trifluoromethyl)nitroxy derivatives of P,As and Sb

Bis(trifluoromethyl)nitroxyl gives an addition reaction with tris(trifluoromethyl)phosphine and radical exchange reactions with stibine. The mechanisms of the above reactions and the properties of bis(trifluoromethyl)nitroxy derivatives of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony are discussed.     

Generation of 1-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines via a silver(I)-catalyzed reaction of 2-alkynylaryl aldimine with trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane

A silver(I)-catalyzed reaction of 2-alkynylaryl aldimine with trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane is reported. This reaction proceeds efficiently under extremely mild conditions to generate 1-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines in good yields. A three-component reaction of 2-alkynylbenzaldehyde, amine, with trimethyl(trifluoromethyl)silane is presented as well.     

Synthesis of 2-amino-5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzenethiol and conversion into 4H-1,4-benzothiazines and their sulfones

The synthesis of 2-amino-5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzenethiol was achieved by hydrolytic cleavage of 2-amino-6-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzothiazole which was prepared by cyclization of 4-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)phenylthiourea by bromine in chloroform, the phenylthiourea was prepared by the reaction of 4-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)aniline with ammonium thiocyanate in hydrochloric acid. Condensation and oxidative cyclization of 2-amino-5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzenethiol with β-diketones/β-ketoesters provided 4H-1,4-benzothiazines. Fluorinated sulfones were obtained by oxidation of the corresponding benzothiazines with 30% hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral studies.     

Synthesis of imidazo[4,5-c]pyridines with a trifluoromethyl group at C-4 and/or C-6

Thermal condensation of histamine with trifluoroacetaldehyde gives 4-(trifluoromethyl)spinacamine and subsequent dehydrogenation with selenium dioxide leads to 4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine (42%). Fluorination with sulfur tetrafluoride of L-spinacine, obtained from the condensation of L-histidine with formaldehyde, affords 6-(trifluoromethyl)spinacamine, which can be converted to 6-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine with selenium dioxide (49%). Application of the sequential reactions to 4-(trifluoro-methyl)-L-spinacine gives 4,6-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine. Dehydrogenation of the tetrahydropyridine ring also occurred during the fluorination with sulfur tetrafluoride.     

Effect of trifluoromethyl substituents on birefringence of polystyrene

Transparent thermoplastic polymers that exhibit no birefringence are ideal for optical components such as optical films for liquid crystal displays and various lenses. Copolymerization of a positive birefringent monomer with a negative monomer is an effective technique for obtaining low birefringent polymers, especially zero‐photoelastic birefringence polymers that exhibit no photoelastic birefringence even during elastic deformation. We prepared four types of trifluoromethyl‐substituted polystyrenes. By substituting hydrogens at the ortho or meta positions of the benzene ring of polystyrene, we demonstrated that poly(2‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene), poly(3‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene), and poly(3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)styrene) had negative photoelastic coefficients. However, poly(4‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene) had a positive photoelastic coefficient similar to that of polystyrene. Based on these results, we synthesized a zero‐photoelastic birefringence polymer of poly(2‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene‐co‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene) (55/45 wt.) exhibiting no photoelastic birefringence in elastic deformation, in which the positive photoelastic birefringence of the poly(4‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene) unit was compensated for by the negative photoelastic birefringence of the poly(2‐(trifluoromethyl)styrene) unit. The discovery of polymers having negative photoelastic coefficients is valuable for the design and synthesis of zero‐photoelastic birefringence polymers. The four types of trifluoromethyl‐substituted polystyrenes are promising optical materials because they have high transparency (transmittance > 89–92% for 27–34‐µm thickness films) in the visible and near‐infrared regions and a high decomposition temperature of approximately 400°C. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of some trifluoromethyl substituted 1‐methylpyrazoles

The major products from the reaction of β‐alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones 1a‐c with methylhydrazine ( 2 ) in absolute ethanol are the 3‐(trifluoromethyl)‐substituted‐1‐methylpyrazoles 3a‐3c with lesser amounts of the 5‐(trifluoromethyl)‐substituted products 4a‐4c and 5a‐5c. Carrying out the reaction in non‐polar, aprotic solvents can further enhance the regioselectivity favoring the 3‐ (trifluoromethyl) ‐substituted isomers.     

β-(Trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfonium salts: preparation and reactions with active methylene and methenyl compounds

Two trifluoromethyl-substituted building blocks β-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfonium salts 1 and 2 were developed. Reactions of β-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfonium salt 1 with active methylene compounds containing electron-withdrawing groups using DBU as the base in DMSO occurred to give trifluoromethyl-substituted cyclopropane derivatives 7 as the major products. In contrast, reactions of β-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfonium salt 2 with active methylene compounds occurred with the migration of one of the electron-withdrawing groups to give the products 8 as the major products when NaH was used as the base in DMSO. Moreover, when NaH was used as base in THF/CH(2)Cl(2) at -78 °C, reaction of β-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfonium salt 1 gave trifluoromethyl-substituted 2,3-dihydrofuran derivatives 9 as the major products. A working mechanism was proposed to explain the different behaviors of the β-(trifluoromethyl)vinyl sulfonium salts 1 or 2 with active methylene compounds under these different conditions.     

A simple and convenient synthesis of 3-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]cinnamic acids from 4-aryl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones and sodium azide

4-Aryl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-pyran-2-ones and ethyl 4-aryl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-2-oxo-2H-pyran-3-carboxylates react with sodium azide to produce highly functionalized CF₃-1,2,3-triazoles: 3-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]cinnamic acids and monoethyl esters of [5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]arylmethylidene malonic acids.     

Conformational studies on heteroleptic trifluoromethyl‐substituted phenylboranes

Organoboranes carrying electron‐withdrawing substituents are commonly used as Lewis acidic catalysts or cocatalysts in a variety of organic processes. These Lewis acids also became popular through their application in `frustrated Lewis pairs', i.e. combinations of Lewis acids and bases that are unable to fully neutralize each other due to steric or electronic effects. We have determined the crystal and molecular structures of four heteroleptic arylboranes carrying 2‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, 2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl, 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or mesityl substituents. [3,5‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]bis[2‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane, C₂₂H₁₁BF₁₂, (I), crystallizes with two molecules in the asymmetric unit which show very similar geometric parameters. In one of the two molecules, both trifluoromethyl groups of the 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl substituent are disordered over two positions. In [3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]bis[2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane, C₂₄H₉BF₁₈, (II), only one of the two meta‐trifluoromethyl groups is disordered. In [2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]bis[3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borane, C₂₄H₉BF₁₈, (III), both meta‐trifluoromethyl groups of only one 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl ring are disordered. [3,5‐Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]dimesitylborane, C₂₆H₂₅BF₆, (IV), carries only one meta‐trifluoromethyl‐substituted phenyl ring, with one of the two trifluoromethyl groups disordered over two positions. In addition to compounds (I)–(IV), the structure of bis[2,6‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]fluoroborane, C₁₆H₆BF₁₃, (V), is presented. None of the ortho‐trifluoromethyl groups is disordered in any of the five compounds. In all the structures, the boron centre is in a trigonal planar coordination. Nevertheless, the bond angles around this atom vary according to the bulkiness and mutual repulsion of the substituents of the phenyl rings. Also, the ortho‐trifluoromethyl‐substituted phenyl rings usually show longer B—C bonds and tend to be tilted out of the BC₃ plane by a higher degree than the phenyl rings carrying ortho H atoms. A comparison with related structures corroborates the conclusions regarding the geometric parameters of the boron centre drawn from the five structures in this paper. On the other hand, CF₃ groups in meta positions do not seem to have a marked effect on the geometry involving the boron centre. Furthermore, it has been observed for the structures reported here and those reported previously that for CF₃ groups in ortho positions of the aromatic ring, disorder of the F atoms is less probable than for CF₃ groups in meta or para positions of the ring.     

Facile syntheses of 4-(trifluoromethyl)-L-spinacine and 4-(trifluoromethyl)spinaceamine

Reaction of L-histidine with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal (TFAE) in boiling water provides 4-(trifluoromethyl)-L-spinacine, 4-(trifluoromethyl)-L-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid, in near quantitative yield. The product contains two diastereoisomers in the ratio 68 : 32. The isomers were separated (silica gel) as their protected derivatives, 5-N-(trifluoroacetyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-L-spinacine methyl esters, and were regenerated by acid hydrolysis. The analogous reaction with histamine provides 4-(trifluoromethyl)spinaceamine in 91% yield.     

Novel Addition of Diphosphanes to Carbonyl Compounds

During our attempts to synthesize chiral bidentate bis(trifluoromethyl)phosphane containing ligands, we found a bis(trifluoromethyl)phosphanide induced formal insertion of acetone into tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)diphosphane.     

Partially Fluorinated Heterocycles from 4,4-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-hetero-1,3-dienes <Emphasis Type="Italic">via</Emphasis> C–F Bond Activation – Synthesis of 2-Fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)furans

Summary. An efficient synthesis of 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)furans was developed. Keystep of the reaction sequence is a [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of tin(II)chloride to 4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1-oxabuta-1,3-dienes. At elevated temperatures the tin heterocycles are transformed into 1-aryl-4,4-difluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)but-3-en-1-ones which on treatment with sodium hydride in dry DMF give 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)furans. The single fluorine bound to C-(2) can be readily replaced by various N-, O-, S-, and C-nucleophiles and dinucleophiles.     

Conversion of MT-sulfone to a trifluoromethyl group by IF5: the application of an MT-sulfone anion as a trifluoromethyl anion equivalent

An MT-sulfone group was converted to a trifluoromethyl group by treatment with IF(5) after an alkylation reaction. Therefore, an MT-sulfone anion can be used as a trifluoromethyl anion equivalent. The formal asymmetric Michael-addition of a trifluoromethyl anion to crotonaldehyde was also performed.     

Partially Fluorinated Heterocycles from 4,4-Bis(trifluoromethyl)-hetero-1,3-dienes via C–F Bond Activation – Synthesis of 2-Fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)furans

An efficient synthesis of 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)furans was developed. Keystep of the reaction sequence is a [4 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of tin(II)chloride to 4,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1-oxabuta-1,3-dienes. At elevated temperatures the tin heterocycles are transformed into 1-aryl-4,4-difluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)but-3-en-1-ones which on treatment with sodium hydride in dry DMF give 2-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)furans. The single fluorine bound to C-(2) can be readily replaced by various N-, O-, S-, and C-nucleophiles and dinucleophiles.     

Alpha-(trifluoromethyl)amine derivatives via nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of nitrones

(Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (TMSCF(3)) reacts with nitrones to afford alpha-(trifluoromethyl)hydroxylamines protected as O-trimethylsilyl ethers. Potassium t-butoxide initiates the nucleophilic trifluoromethylation. The reaction works best with alpha,N-diaryl nitrones, and the conditions are compatible with a range of substituents on the aryl groups. Acidic deprotection of the nitrone/TMSCF(3) adducts generates alpha-(trifluoromethyl)hydroxylamines. Catalytic hydrogenation of the adducts produces alpha-(trifluoromethyl)amines. Nitrone/TMSCF(3) adducts with strong electron-withdrawing groups on the alpha-aryl ring or heterocyclic alpha-aryl groups undergo an elimination/addition sequence to generate alpha,alpha-bis(trifluoromethyl)amines. Nitrones with alkyl groups bound directly to the 1,3-dipolar moiety fail to react with TMSCF(3), but trifluoromethylation of beta,gamma-unsaturated nitrones followed by reduction of the double bond can circumvent this limitation.     

Novel route of the reaction of trifluoromethyl-containing N-methyl(4-ethoxyphenyl)imidazolidin-2-ones with urea

The reactions of perfluorobiacetyl with N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)- and N-methylurea afforded cis- and trans-isomers of 1-methyl-4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)imidazolidin-2-one and 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)imidazolidin-2-one in a yield of ～60—75%. N-Alkyl(aryl)bis(trifluoromethyl)imidazooxazoles were obtained as unexpected products in the reaction of 1-alkyl(aryl)-4,5-dihydroxy-4,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)imidazolidin-2-ones with urea in dimethylacetamide. The reaction is accompanied by the rearrangement of imidazolidin-2-ones to N-alkyl(aryl)-5,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)hydantoins with CF₃ group migration from position 5 to position 4 of the starting heterocycle. A similar rearrangement is observed on boiling of the studied imidazolidin-2-ones in dimethylacetamide. The molecular structures of 3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-5,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)imidazolidine-2,4-dione and 6-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3a,6a-bis(trifluoromethyl)tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-d]oxazole-2,5-dione were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis.