Fig. 1: Common methods to access trifluoromethylarenes.
A Common methods to access Ar–CF3 substructures are limited by the use of harsh conditions that preclude the presence of many useful functional groups, the application of unselective processes that provide mixtures of products, and/or the availability of readily available substrates. All combined, these limitations restrict access to high-value highly substituted Ar–CF3 substructures. B Deoxytrifluoromethylation to access Ar–CF3 requires multiple steps and produced product in low yield. C A deoxyfluoroalkylation/aromatization strategy enables systematic preparation of countless numbers of highly substituted cyclohexan(en)one-containing substrates prior to conversion to the Ar–CF3 products. The introduction of the CF3 group occurs using a robust and selective 1,2-addition reaction that tolerates many useful functional groups.
