Synthesis of Chiral Tertiary Allylic- and Propargylic Fluorides from Nonaflates of Chiral α-Fluorinated β-Keto Dicarbonyl Compounds

The acetyl group of chiral α-fluorinated dicarbonyl compounds was transformed to nonaflates through a reaction with perfluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride in the presence of DBU in 82-95% yield. These nonaflates were used in Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions to afford chiral tertiary allylic fluorides bearing gem-disubstituted terminal alkenes with excellent optical purities (45-91%, ≥94% ee). In addition, chiral tertiary propargylic fluorides were obtained from the reaction of nonaflates with DBU (73-86%, ≥94% ee).

Transition-Metal-Catalyzed Monofluoroalkylation: Strategies for the Synthesis of Alkyl Fluorides by C-C Bond Formation

Alkyl fluorides modulate the conformation, lipophilicity, metabolic stability, and p K a of compounds containing aliphatic motifs and, therefore, have been valuable for medicinal chemistry. Despite significant research in organofluorine chemistry, the synthesis of alkyl fluorides, especially chiral alkyl fluorides, remains a challenge. Most commonly, alkyl fluorides are prepared by the formation of C-F bonds (fluorination), and numerous strategies for nucleophilic, electrophilic, and radical fluorination have been reported in recent years. Although strategies to access alkyl fluorides by C-C bond formation (monofluoroalkylation) are inherently convergent and complexity-generating, they have studied less than methods based on fluorination. This Review provides an overview of recent developments in the synthesis of chiral (enantioenriched or racemic) secondary and tertiary alkyl fluorides by monofluoroalkylation catalyzed by transition-metal complexes. We expect this contribution will illuminate the potential of monofluoroalkylations to simplify the synthesis of complex alkyl fluorides and suggest further research directions in this growing field.

Reagents for Selective Fluoromethylation: A Challenge in Organofluorine Chemistry

The introduction of a monofluoromethyl moiety has undoubtedly become a very important area of research in recent years. Owing to the beneficial properties of organofluorine compounds, such as their metabolic stability, the incorporation of the CH2 F group as a bioisosteric substitute for various functional groups is an attractive strategy for the discovery of new pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, the monofluoromethyl unit is also widely used in agrochemistry, in pharmaceutical chemistry, and in fine chemicals. The problems associated with climate change and the growing need for environmentally friendly industrial processes mean that alternatives to the frequently used CFC and HFBC fluoromethylating agents (CH2 FCl and CH2 FBr) are urgently needed and also required by the Montreal Protocol. This has recently prompted many researchers to develop alternative fluoromethylation agents. This Minireview summarizes both the classical and new generation of fluoromethylating agents. Reagents that act via electrophilic, nucleophilic, and radical pathways are discussed, in addition to their precursors.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Allylic Boronates Bearing a Trisubstituted Alkenyl Fluoride and Related Derivatives

The first catalytic method for diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of allylic boronates bearing a Z-trisubstituted alkenyl fluoride is disclosed. Boryl substitution is performed with either a Z- or E-allyldifluoride and is catalyzed by bisphosphine/Cu complexes, affording products in up to 99 % yield with >98:2 Z/E selectivity and 99:1 enantiomeric ratio. A variety of subsequent modifications are feasible, and notable examples are diastereoselective additions to aldehydes/aldimines to access homoallylic alcohols/amines containing a fluorosubstituted stereogenic quaternary center.