Substitution of five-membered heteroarenes and uracils with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.73.249

A number of α-(trifluoromethyl)heteroarylmethanols 2a-c are conveniently obtained in good yields by substitution of pyrole, furan, and thiophene with trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal (TFAE); 2b and 2c are formed only in the presence of a catalyst such as ZnCl₂. Analogous methanols 8a and 8b are also prepared by catalytic substitution of uracils with TFAE in moderate yields.