Synthesis of trifluoromethyl ethers and difluoro(methylthio)methyl ethers by the reaction of dithiocarbonates with IF5-pyridine-HF

Comprehensive Study and Development of a Metal-Free and Mild Nucleophilic Trifluoromethoxylation

Among the general interest in fluorinated compounds, trifluoromethoxylated molecules play a specific role. However, despite this interest, the development of efficient reagents to perform trifluoromethoxylation reactions remains a challenge. Here, 2,4-dinitro-trifluoromethoxybenzene (DNTFB) is used as a trifluoromethoxylating reagent to perform nucleophilic substitution under mild metal-free conditions with different leaving groups, including direct dehydroxytrifluoromethoxylation. A mechanistic study rationalized the reaction and subsequently proposed only three reaction conditions, depending on the reactivity of the starting substrates.

Evaluation of Efficient and Practical Methods for the Preparation of Functionalized Aliphatic Trifluoromethyl Ethers

The “chlorination/fluorination” technique for aliphatic trifluoromethyl ether synthesis was investigated and a range of products with various functional groups was prepared. The results were compared with oxidative desulfurization-fluorination of xanthates with the same structure.

Construction of β-Trifluoromethyl Enol Ether via Base-Promoted C-O Coupling and Rearrangement of Hydrogen Atom

A novel, high-efficiency and high-selectivity construction of β-trifluoromethyl enol ether via base-induced/promoted C-O coupling of trifluoromethylated vinyl chloride and phenols is presented with a broad substrate scope. The reaction mechanism, especially the significantly high selectivity, was excavated and understood via DFT calculation and is well supported by the experimental observation.

Silver-Mediated Oxidative Trifluoromethylation of Alcohols to Alkyl Trifluoromethyl Ethers

The development of an efficient and practical method for the preparation of alkyl trifluoromethyl ethers is urgently demanding. The silver-mediated oxidative O-trifluoromethylation of primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols with TMSCF3 under mild reaction conditions is established to provide a novel approach to a broad range of alkyl trifluoromethyl ethers. Further, this method is applied to the late-stage O-trifluoromethylation of complex natural products and prescribed pharmaceutical agents.