Developing more versatile and mild synthetic method for the incorporation of the trifluoromethyl group in small molecules is important to the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Recently we developed a copper-catalyzed method for the efficient allylic trifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes. Based on this study, a ligand-assisted copper-catalyzed alkene oxytrifluoromethylation method was developed. This method features the use of a Cu(MeCN)4PF6/2,2'-biquinoline catalytic system, which allows rapid access to a variety of classes interesting CF3-containing building blocks. Many synthetically useful intermediates such as trifluoromethylated lactones and epoxides can be easily prepared from simple unactivated alkenes using this method, greatly facilitating the synthesis of some highly functionalized CF3-containing structures that might be difficult to access otherwise.

Copper-catalyzed oxytrifluoromethylation of unactivated alkenes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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