Electrophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds and their nitrogen derivatives under copper catalysis

Recent advances in copper-catalyzed electrophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds and their nitrogen derivatives are highlighted with particular focus on C–CF₃ bond forming reactions.

Copper-catalyzed β-trifluoromethylation of conjugated hydrazones

The Cu-catalyzed direct β-trifluoromethylation of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde N,N-dibenzylhydrazones with Togni hypervalent iodine reagent is described. The reaction yields stereodefined CF3-alkenyl derivatives under mild conditions and is proposed to proceed via a radical process.

Palladium-catalyzed γ-selective arylation of zincated Boc-allylamines

The regio- and diastereoselective arylation of Boc-protected allylamines was performed via a one-pot lithiation/transmetalation to zinc/cross-coupling sequence, through an appropriate choice of a phosphine ligand. A variety of γ-arylated products were obtained in moderate to good yield, and the products could be directly transformed into valuable γ-arylamines and β-aryl aldehydes.