Nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds: Trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate as a trifluoromethyl source

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo400202w

A feasible nucleophilic trifluoromethylating protocol has been developed using trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate as an atom-economical trifluoromethyl source. The reaction was found to be applicable to the nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of a broad spectrum of carbonyl compounds with satisfactory yields in general. DFT calculations have been performed to provide mechanistic insight into the present and related reactions employing 2,2,2-trifluoro-1- methoxyethanol and hexafluoroacetone hydrate.