Copper‐Catalyzed Deaminative Difluoromethylation

The difluoromethyl group (CF₂H) is considered to be a lipophilic and metabolically stable bioisostere of an amino (NH₂) group. Therefore, methods that can rapidly convert an NH₂ group into a CF₂H group would be of great value to medicinal chemistry. We report herein an efficient Cu‐catalyzed approach for the conversion of alkyl pyridinium salts, which can be readily synthesized from the corresponding alkyl amines, to their alkyl difluoromethane analogues. This method tolerates a broad range of functional groups and can be applied to the late‐stage modification of complex amino‐containing pharmaceuticals.     

Synthesis of Polyfluorinated Ethers

Procedures for preparing polyfluorinated ethers H(CF₂CF₂) _n CH₂OR by alkylation of the corresponding telomeric alcohols H(CF₂CF₂) _n CH₂OH (n = 1–3) with alkyl halides and alkyl tosylates were examined.     

N‐Trifluoromethyl Hydrazines,Indoles and Their Derivatives

Reported herein is the first efficient strategy to synthesize a broad range of unsymmetrical N‐CF₃ hydrazines, which served as platform to unlock numerous currently inaccessible derivatives, such as tri‐ and tetra‐substituted N‐CF₃ hydrazines, hydrazones, sulfonyl hydrazines, and valuable N‐CF₃ indoles. These compounds proved to be remarkably robust, being compatible with acids, bases, and a wide range of synthetic manipulations. The feasibility of RN(CF₃)‐NH₂ to function as a directing group in C?H functionalization is also showcased.     

A novel pyrrolidinium ionic liquid with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate anion as a recyclable reaction medium and efficient catalyst for Friedel-Crafts alkylations of indoles with nitroalkenes

A series of pyrrolidinium-based salts with new fluorine-containing anions were synthesized. Different melting points could be obtained by changing the length of the fluoroalkyl chain of the anions. The pyrrolidinium 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonate ([C₄H₈NH₂][H(CF₂)₄O(CF₂)₂SO₃]) is highly fluid even below room temperature. It can be used both as a recyclable solvent and as an efficient catalyst for Friedel-Crafts alkylations of indoles with nitroalkenes.     

Synthesis of Difluoromethyl Thioethers from Difluoromethyl Trimethylsilane and Organothiocyanates Generated In Situ

A copper‐CF₂H complex generated in situ from copper thiocyanate and TMS? CF₂H smoothly converts organothiocyanates into valuable difluoromethyl thioethers. This reaction step can be combined with several thiocyanation methods to one‐pot protocols, allowing late‐stage difluoromethylthiolations of widely available alkyl halides and arenediazonium salts. This strategy enables the introduction of difluoromethylthio groups—a largely unexplored substituent with highly promising properties—into drug‐like molecules.     

Disproportionation reactions between alkyl and fluoroalkyl radicals. VII. Difluoromethyl with perfluoro-n-propyl and methyl radicals

Mixtures of 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoroacetone and perfluorodi-n-propyl ketone have been photolyzed together over the temperature range 50° to 200°C, and the disproportionation/combination ratio for n-C₃F₇ and CF₂H radicals has been determined to be Δ(n-C₃F₇, CF₂H) = 0.072 ± 0.003. A reevaluation of existing data on CH₃ and CF₂H radicals leads to a value of Δ(CH₃, CF₂H) = 0.35. The large variations in Δ for the reactions of alkyl and perfluoroalkyl radicals with CF₂H radicals are discussed. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Beiträge zur 14/15N-NMR-Spektroskopie CF3S-substituierter Stickstoffverbindungen mit natürlicher Isotopenhäufigkeit

Contributions on ^14/15N-N.M.R. Spectroscopy of CF₃S-substituted Nitrogen Compounds with Natural Isotope Abundance ¹⁴N and ¹⁵N data are reported of compounds of the type CF₃SNXY (X = H, Y = H, SiMe₃; X = Y = SiMe₃), (CF₃S)₂NX (X = H, CH₃, CH₂OH, SiMe₃, SnMe₃), as well as (CF₃S)₃N and [(CF₃S)₂N]₂Hg. The δ-values of the CF₃S-amines lie at higher field than those of the non-fluorinated RSNR₂ compounds. This is attributed to the large s-contribution of the S? N bond (sp² hybridization of the N atom), as a result of the electron withdrawing effect of the CF₃ group. The ? I effect of the CF₃S group on the δ-values is thereby not discernible. The notion of a p_π – d_π interaction between S and N atoms (N acting as a donor) is not supported by the ^14/15N-n.m.r. data. With the aid of known N-n.m.r. data a dependance was found between δ and EN that leads to a straight line, according to which the substituents at N can be divided into two categories with regard to their steric effect. The CF₃S substituted amines show in accord with this straight line a higher field displacement. The known regularities of the δ-values (-α, -β-effect, the influence of hydrogen bridging) are qualitatively valid for the CF₃S amines too. The substitution of Me₃Si groups by CF₃S ones enhances the shielding effect at the N-nucleus; in secondary amines an increasing s-character of the N? H bond is evident from the J_NH value.     

C?H and N?H bond activation in reactions of vinyl acetate,allyl cyanide,allylamine and other amines with (η-C5H5)2Rh2(CO)(CF3C2CF3)

There is activation of olefinic C? H bonds when (η-C₅H₅)₂Rh₂(CO)(CF₃C₂CF₃) is treated with vinyl acetate or allyl cyanide. These reactions are initiated by exposure to sunlight. In the vinyl acetate reaction, each of the three vinylic C? H bonds can be broken, but there is strong preference for cleavage at the substituted carbon. The products formed in these reactions are bisalkenyl complexes of the type (η-C₅H₅)₂Rh₂{μ-C(CF₃)C(CF₃)H}(μ-CR?CR′R″), and all isomers have been thoroughly characterized by NMR analysis. Similar reactions with allylamine and other amines (NH₂R, NHMe₂) occur in the dark and proceed by N? H bond cleavage. Near-quantitative amounts of the products, (η-C₅H₅)Rh₂{C(CF₃)C(CF₃)H}(C(O)NRR′) are isolated. Spectroscopic data indicate a bridging carboxamide ligand attached to the Rh? Rh bond from oxygen and nitrogen donor sites. It is proposed that coordination of O or N to rhodium has a strong influence on all of the reactions studied.     

Nucleophilic, radical, and electrophilic (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylations

Selective incorporation of a fluoroalkyl moiety to modulate the properties of an organic molecule has become a frequently used strategy in life science- and materials science-related applications. In this context, selective introduction of a (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethyl group (PhSO₂CF₂) into organic molecules has attracted much attention, since the PhSO₂CF₂ group can be regarded as a “chemical chameleon” that can be readily transformed into difluoromethyl (CF₂H), difluoromethylene (–CF₂–), and difluoromethylidene (CF₂) functionalities. This article overviews the recent development of (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation reactions from 2003, including the nucleophilic (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylations with PhSO₂CF₂H, PhSO₂CF₂SiMe₃ and PhSO₂CF₂Br reagents, free radical (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylations with PhSO₂CF₂I reagent, and electrophilic (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylations with a hypervalent iodine(III)-CF₂SO₂Ph reagent.     

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.     

Ab initio quantum-mechanical calculations on trifluoromethylamine

Extensive ab initio molecular-orbital calculations were carried out on trifluoromethylamine (TFM) to elucidate changes in geometry and electronic structure upon fluorination. The calculations show that the decomposition of CF₃NH₂ is slightly endoenergetic, and the heats of atomization of CF₃NH₂ and CH₃NH₂ show decreased stability of the species upon fluorination. Characteristic of CF₃NH₂ is a highly polar, strong, short CN bond. More limited calculations were carried out on CF₃OH and CH₃OH, and the electronic structure of CF₃OH is found to be generally similar to that of CF₃NH₂. The reduced basicity of the fluorinated amine cannot be ascribed to the inductive effect; the enhanced acidity of the fluorinated alcohol reflects the weakening of the OH bond. No evidence leads to a confirmation of the existence of nitrogen–fluorine hyperconjugation in the fluorinated amine.     

Synthesis of β-amino-α-trifluoromethyl-α-amino acids exhibiting intramolecular interaction of CF3 with NHβ

We prepared β-amino-α-trifluoromethyl-α-amino acids through ring-opening reaction of N-tosyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2-ethoxycarbonylaziridine with aromatic and benzylic amines, and investigated the intramolecular interaction between the trifluoromethyl (CF₃) group at the α-position and the NH group at the β-position (NH_β). NMR, UV/vis, and circular dichroism measurements indicated that the conformation of these compounds is fixed by intramolecular interaction of CF₃ with NH_β to form a six-membered ring.     

Infrared spectra,vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations for 2,2,2-trifluoroethanimidamide

The infrared spectra of gaseous and solid 2,2,2-trifluoroethanimidamide, CF₃(NH₂)C=NH, have been recorded from 4000 to 80 cm^–1. A vibrational assignment for the normal modes is proposed based on group frequencies and normal coordinate calculations utilizing C₁ symmetry. The structures for both the cis [hydrogen atom of the =NH group is cis to the NH₂ group] and trans geometric isomers have been determined from ab initio Hartree-Fock gradient calculations employing the GAUSSIAN-82 program with the 3–21G basis set. The most stable conformer at this level of calculation is found to be a C₁, structure with a partially rotated CF₃ group and the hydrogen atom of the imine group trans to the NH₂ group. The calculated structural parameters have only very small differences between the conformers. Barriers to internal rotation for the NH₂ and CF₃ groups and vibrational frequencies have been calculated for the C₁ form. The results of this investigation are compared with similar data on some corresponding molecules.Taken in part from the thesis of T. G. Sheehan which was submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree, May 1990.     

Copper‐Catalyzed Remote C(sp3)−H Trifluoromethylation of Carboxamides and Sulfonamides

Reported herein is an unprecedented protocol for trifluoromethylation of unactivated aliphatic C(sp³)?H bonds. With Cu(OTf)₂ as the catalyst, the reaction of N‐fluoro‐substituted carboxamides (or sulfonamides) with Zn(CF₃)₂ complexes provides the corresponding δ‐trifluoromethylated carboxamides (or sulfonamides) in satisfactory yields under mild reaction conditions. A radical mechanism involving 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer of N‐radicals followed by CF₃‐transfer from Cu^II?CF₃ complexes to the thus formed alkyl radicals is proposed.     

Molybdenum(VI) Bis(imido) Complexes: From Frustrated Lewis Pairs to Weakly Coordinating Cations

Molybdenum(VI) bis(imido) complexes [Mo(NtBu)₂(L^R)₂] (R=H 1 a ; R=CF₃ 1 b ) combined with B(C₆F₅)₃ ( 1 a /B(C₆F₅)₃, 1 b /B(C₆F₅)₃) exhibit a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) character that can heterolytically split H−H, Si−H and O−H bonds. Cleavage of H₂ and Et₃SiH affords ion pairs [Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂][HB(C₆F₅)₃] (R=H 2 a ; R=CF₃ 2 b ) composed of a Mo(VI) amido imido cation and a hydridoborate anion, while reaction with H₂O leads to [Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂][(HO)B(C₆F₅)₃] (R=H 3 a ; R=CF₃ 3 b ). Ion pairs 2 a and 2 b are catalysts for the hydrosilylation of aldehydes with triethylsilane, with 2 b being more active than 2 a . Mechanistic elucidation revealed insertion of the aldehyde into the B−H bond of [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻. We were able to isolate and fully characterize, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the inserted products Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂][{PhCH₂O}B(C₆F₅)₃] (R=H 4 a ; R=CF₃ 4 b ). Catalysis occurs at [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ while [Mo(NtBu)(NHtBu)(L^R)₂]⁺ (R=H or CF₃) act as the cationic counterions. However, the striking difference in reactivity gives ample evidence that molybdenum cations behave as weakly coordinating cations (WCC).     

Robust synthesis of trifluoromethionine and its derivatives by reductive trifluoromethylation of amino acid disulfides by CF3I/Na/Liq.NH3 system

We disclose the reductive trifluoromethylation of chemically stable homocystine and cystine to provide corresponding trifluoromethyl ethers by the CF₃I/Na/Liq.NH₃ system. Both non-protected and protected homocystines can be nicely converted into trifluoromethylated methionines under the same condition. The method described offers a robust synthesis of pharmaceutically important trifluoromethionine, suitable for multigram synthesis. Pentafluoroethylation of homocystine was also achieved by the CF₃CF₂I/Na/Liq.NH₃ system.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of Pd(OAc)2-catalyzed trifluoroethylation: Role of additive CF3COOH

The mechanism of Pd(OAc)₂-catalyzed trifluoroethylation of aromatic systems is explored using the density function theory (DFT) computations. The calculation results indicate that the whole catalytic cycle involves a coordinated process of catalyst Pd(OAc)₂ with acetanilide 1a, a C–H bond activation and a two-step migration of CF₃CH₂– group. The interesting role of additive (CF₃COOH) is that it can react with substrate 2a (mesityl(trifluoroethyl)iodonium triflate) to form an active species mesityl(trifluoroethyl)iodonium trifluoroacetate 2a′. 2a′ can assist the C–H activation to decrease the rate-limiting free energy barrier of the catalytic reaction by changing the rate-limiting step from the transferring process of CF₃CH₂– group to the C–H bond activation.     

EPR STUDIES OF THE BISTABILITY IN CF3CNSSN

Condensation of CF₃C(═NH)NH₂ with SCl₂ yielded the dithiadiazolylium salt, [CF₃CNSSN]Cl which could be reduced to [CF₃CNSSN]₂ with Zn/Cu couple in SO₂. [CF₃CNSSN]₂ is a diamagnetic dimer in the solid state but melts at 308 K to give a paramagnetic liquid. On cooling the radical enters a metastable state before immediately re-solidifying below 295 K. The thermal hysteresis was probed by EPR spectroscopy. Metastable samples spontaneously solidified after an induction period, typically between ca. 5 and 30 min, consistent with the variable time necessary to form a seed crystal from which crystallization can occur.     

Catalyst-Free Intermolecular Sulfonyl/Fluoromethyl Heteroarylation of Vinyl Ethers via Visible-Light-Induced Charge Transfer

We report a visible-light-induced three-component sulfonyl-heteroarylation of vinyl ethers with sulfinates and five-membered heteroaryl chlorides. This protocol proceeds via electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) complexes between sulfinates and heteroaryl chlorides, giving β-sulfonyl alkyl five-membered heteroarenes with high efficiency and excellent regioselectivity under mild and catalyst-free conditions. Utilization of CF₃SO₂Na or CF₂HSO₂Na as coupling partners further achieves three-component fluoromethyl-arylation of vinyl ethers, furnishing a series of valuable CF₃/CF₂H-incorporated alkyl heterocycles under mild conditions.     

Nitroxide chemistry. Part XIX. Reaction of bistrifluoromethyl nitroxide with diphenylketene and related compounds (Ph2CHCOX,X  OH,Cl, NH2)

The following reactions have been accomplished: 2(CF₃)₂NO· + Ph₂CCO → Ph₂C[ON(CF₃)₂]CO₂N(CF₃)₂ → (on hydrolysis) Ph₂C[ON(CF₃)₂]CO₂H; 2 (CF₃)₂NO· + Ph₂CHCOX → (CF₃)₂NOH + Ph₂C[ON(CF₃)₂]COX (X  OH, Cl,NH₂).