Copper-Catalyzed Reaction of Trifluoromethylketones with Aldehydes via a Copper Difluoroenolate

Abstract

A copper-catalyzed reaction of easily accessible α,α,α-trifluoromethylketones with various aldehydes affords difluoro-methylene compounds in the presence of diboron and NaOtBu. The key process of the reaction is the formation of a copper difluoroenolate by 1,2-addition of a borylcopper intermediate to α,α,α-trifluoromethylketones and subsequent β-fluoride elimination. Mechanistic studies including the isolation and characterization of a possible anionic copper alkoxide intermediate are also described.

Keywords: CF activation; aldol reaction; boron; copper; synthetic methods.