Synthesis of fluoro- and perfluoroalkyl arenes via palladium-catalyzed [4 + 2] benzannulation reaction

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ol401057z

An efficient entry into densely substituted fluorinated and perfluoroalkylated benzene derivatives via chemo- and regioselective Pd-catalyzed [4 + 2] cross-benzannulation is presented. The synthetic utility of these products for the synthesis of various aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds is also demonstrated. This strategy offers a viable and quite general alternative to existing fluorination and perfluoroalkylation methods for securing these valuable molecules.