Copper-mediated trifluoromethylation using phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfoxide

Abstract

A new method for the generation of trifluoromethylcopper ("CuCF3") species from readily available phenyl trifluoromethyl sulfoxide has been developed. The "CuCF3" reagent can be applied in efficient trifluoromethylations of aryl iodides and activated aryl bromides in the absence of additional ligands. Furthermore, the "CuCF3" species can also undergo oxidative cross-coupling with terminal alkynes and arylboronic acids.