Regio- and stereo-specific preparation of (E)-1-aryl-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-iodo-propenes and their palladium-catalyzed reaction with terminal alkynes

Copper-Catalyzed Perfluoroalkylation of Alkynyl Bromides and Terminal Alkynes

A copper-catalyzed one-pot perfluoroalkylation of alkynyl bromides and terminal alkynes has been disclosed, and the corresponding perfluoroalkylated alkynes could be attained in good to excellent yields. The new straightforward transformation shows high efficiency (0.01-0.5 mol % catalyst loading), broad substrate scope, and remarkable functional group tolerance and provides a facile approach for useful application in life and material sciences.

Copper-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective fluorocarboalkynylation of alkynes

It is attractive to establish an efficient and practical platform affording functional compounds using readily available feedstocks as starting materials under mild conditions.

The Trifluoromethyl Group as a Bioisosteric Replacement of the Aliphatic Nitro Group in CB1 Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators

The first generation of CB₁ positive allosteric modulators (e.g., ZCZ011) featured a 3-nitroalkyl-2-phenyl-indole structure. Although a small number of drugs include the nitro group, it is generally not regarded as being "drug-like", and this is particularly true for aliphatic nitro groups. There are very few case studies where an appropriate bioisostere replaced a nitro group that had a direct role in binding. This may be indicative of the difficulty of replicating its binding interactions. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of ligands targeting the allosteric binding site on the CB₁ cannabinoid receptor, in which a CF₃ group successfully replaced the aliphatic NO₂. In general, the CF₃-bearing compounds were more potent than their NO₂ equivalents and also showed improved in vitro metabolic stability. The CF₃ analogue (1) with the best balance of properties was selected for further pharmacological evaluation. Pilot in vivo studies showed that (±)-1 has similar activity to (±)-ZCZ011, with both showing promising efficacy in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.

Copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of aryl- and vinylboronic acids with generation of CF3-radicals

The selective trifluoromethylation of aryl- and vinylboronic acids proceeds smoothly with CF3SO2Na (Langlois reagent) in the presence of copper catalysts and t-BuOOH. Therefore, the method relies both on transition metal catalysis and selective radical reactions. Advantageously, the protocol can be performed at room temperature under an air atmosphere and avoids the issue of poor regioselectivity.