A novel non-acidic method for the preparation of 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(3-nitrophenyl)ethanone and 1-nitro-3-trifluoromethylbenzene, versatile starting materials for trifluoromethyl-containing aromatic compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1055/s-1995-4116

Treatment of 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-phenylethanone (1) and α,α,α-trifluorotoluene (3) with ozone or ozonized air in chlorinated hydrocarbons in the presence of excess nitrogen dioxide and a catalytic amount of iron(III) salt at -10-0°C leads to the respective title nitro compounds 2 and 4 in good to excellent yields. The reaction is clean and rapid, little or no hydrolysis of the trifluoromethyl group being observed during the nitration.