An Effective Method to Introduce Carbon Acid Functionality: 2,2-Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)ethylation Reaction of Arenes

Unveiling the Use of 1,1-Bis(triflyl)ethylene as CF3SO2CH═CH2 Source with the Assistance of (n-Bu)4NF: Synthesis of 3-[(Trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]cyclobut-1-enes

Allylic sulfone-embedded cyclobutenes have been prepared in one pot from alkynes. The carbocycle and the alkenyl sulfone moieties were installed through consecutive bis(triflyl)cyclobutenylation of a triple bond and tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF)-assisted hydrodesulfonylation of an allylic bis(sulfone). It is noteworthy that 1,1-bis(triflyl)ethylene acts as a CF3SO2CH═CH2 source for the first time.

Diverse Synthesis of 2H-Isoindole-Based Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds

1,3-Disubstituted N-aryl-2H-isoindoles have been synthesized by a cascade reaction of divinyl ethers, which are derived from easily available 4-bromoisocoumarins, with substituted anilines in HFIP. This cascade reaction consists of a ring-opening step through addition-elimination mechanism and the following 5-exo-tet type ring-closing step via the intramolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. Thus obtained 2H-isoindoles have been derivatized to high-order nitrogen-containing polycycles including less accessible benzo[a]ullazines.

Development of Stable Carbanionic Substituents

During the past decade, carbon (C-H) acids depicted as 'Tf2 CHR' (Tf=CF3 SO2 ) have attracted considerable attention as a new class of superacidic molecules, which show stronger acidity than sulfuric acid molecules. In recent years, the author has developed a synthetic methodology for such strong acids and has opened the door to chemistry of highly stabilised carbanions [Tf2 CR]- , which are the conjugate bases of the carbon acids. These carbanion-containing salts are stable and easy-to-handle species. Our efforts have revealed that the ionic but lipophilic characters of this type of carbanion can be used as a unique 'substituent' for increasing both the water solubility and the lipophilicity of organic compounds. This Personal Account provides an overview of our [Tf2 CR]- chemistry, including its synthesis, structure, reactivity, and applications.

Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Decorated by Fluorinated Carbon Acids/Carbanions

The carboarylation reaction of biphenyl-alkynes was successfully triggered by electrophilic attack of 1,1-bis(triflyl)ethylene on the alkyne moiety to give polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) decorated by superacidic carbon acid functionality. Neutralisation of thus obtained acids with NaHCO₃ yielded the corresponding sodium salts, which showed improved solubility in both aqueous and organic solvents.

A Convenient Formal [4+2] Heterocylization Route to Bis(triflyl)tetrahydroquinolines

We report the sustainable and efficient synthesis of a new type of quinoline derivatives bearing one or two SO2 CF3 groups. The protocol is metal-, catalyst- and irradiation-free, involves the use of readily available and stable precursors, and avoids the formation of side products. Also, the mild conditions of the process allow the tolerance of a wide range of functional groups.

A Fluorinated Carbanionic Substituent for Improving Water Solubility and Lipophilicity of Fluorescent Dyes

Installation of a carbanionic substituent, that is strongly stabilized by two (trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl (Tf=SO₂ CF₃ ) groups, into several fluorescence dyes including boron-dipyrromethenes (BODIPYs), fluoresceins, and aminocoumarins has been achieved by the 2,2-bis(triflyl)ethylation reaction of the dye frameworks with highly electrophilic Tf₂ C=CH₂ , followed by neutralization with NaHCO₃ . Despite the contradiction between water solubility and lipophilicity, the carbanion-decorated dyes thus obtained showed significant enhancement of not only water solubility but also lipophilicity. This work clearly demonstrates that the fluorinated, highly stabilized carbanionic substituent is a new option for controlling the macroscopic property of chemical materials.

A catalyst-free bis(triflyl)ethylation/benzannulation reaction: rapid access to carbazole-based superacidic carbon acids from alkynols

A metal- and irradiation-free preparation of Tf₂CHCH₂-decorated carbazoles from 1-(indol-2-yl)but-3-yn-1-ols under mild conditions with a 2-fluoropyridinium salt as the Tf₂CCH₂ source has been attained in a straightforward and selective manner.

Synthesis and Characterization of Stable Phosphorus Carbabetaines

Phosphorus 1,3- and 1,4-carbabetaines with 'P(+)-C-C(-)' and 'P(+)-C-C-C(-)' structures, respectively, in which the carbanion moiety was significantly stabilized by two trifluoromethylsulfonyl groups, have been synthesized and characterized. Analysis of their X-ray crystal structures revealed that any attractive interactions between the anionic and cationic moieties were negligibly weak. This result was corroborated by using natural bond orbital (NBO) and Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) models. In contrast, performing the same analysis of a known 1,3-carbabetaine equivalent, which can be drawn as a 'P(+)-C-C=C-O(-)' resonance structure, revealed pronounced charge-transfer interactions between the anionic and cationic moieties.

Synthesis of Aryl Triflones through the Trifluoromethanesulfonylation of Benzynes

The direct synthesis of aryl triflones, that is, trifluoromethanesulfonyl arenes, was achieved through the trifluoromethanesulfonylation of benzynes. The trifluoromethanesulfonyl group, one of the fluorinated functional groups, is a highly electron-negative and mild lipophilic substituent. Aryl triflones have high potential in the synthesis of bioactive compounds and specialty materials. The treatment of 2-(trimethylsilyl)aryl trifluoromethanesulfonates with cesium fluoride in the presence of 15-crown-5 generated benzynes, which reacted with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate followed by protonation with tBuOH under heating conditions, provided aryl triflones in moderated to good yields. Both symmetrical and unsymmetrical triflones were nicely accessed under the same reaction conditions. Interestingly, the trifluoromethanesulfonylation of unsymmetrical benzyne precursors proceeded smoothly to furnish corresponding aryl triflones in good yields with good to high regioselectivities. The balance of polarization of electric charge as well as steric hindrance of the benzyne intermediates are central factors to control the outcome of regioselectivity.

Transition metal-free controlled synthesis of bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]ethyl-decorated heterocycles

The metal- and irradiation-free C–H bis(triflyl)ethylation reactions of a variety of heterocycles including marketed drugs have been accomplished.

Synthesis of aryl triflones by insertion of arynes into C–SO2CF3 bonds

A new approach toward the synthesis of aryl triflones was achieved by the formal insertion of arynes into C–SO₂CF₃ bonds.

Sequential Mukaiyama-Michael reaction induced by carbon acids

In the presence of a strong carbon acid, the sequential Mukaiyama-Michael reaction using two different Michael acceptors proceeded and the reaction of ketene silyl acetal derived from EtOAc with α-pyrones as primal acceptors yielded the corresponding cyclic ketene silyl acetals, which were reactive enough to undergo the following reaction with second acceptors.

Iodine-mediated regioselective synthesis of vinyl triflones from styrenes with CF3SO2Na

The iodine-mediated reaction of styrenes and CF₃SO₂Na proceeded regioselectively to give various potentially useful vinyl triflones.

Chemistry of Fluorinated Carbon Acids: Synthesis, Physicochemical Properties, and Catalysis

The bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]methyl (Tf2CH; Tf=SO2CF3) group is known to be one of the strongest carbon acid functionalities. The acidity of such carbon acids in the gas phase is stronger than that of sulfuric acid. Our recent investigations have demonstrated that this type of carbon acids work as novel acid catalysts. In this paper, recent achievements in carbon acid chemistry by our research group, including synthesis, physicochemical properties, and catalysis, are summarized.

Synthesis of δ-oxo-1,1-bis(triflyl)alkanes and their acidities

The reaction of 1,1-bis(triflyl)ethylene generated in situ with enolizable carbonyls yielded δ-oxo-1,1-bis(triflyl)alkane derivatives. Their acidities in both the gas and solution phases were determined.