High-Performance Nonfused Electron Acceptor with Precisely Controlled Side Chain Fluorination.

Modification of the molecular packing of nonfullerene acceptors through fluorination represents one of the most promising strategies to achieve highly efficient organic solar cells (OSCs). In this work, three nonfused electron acceptors, namely, DTCBT-Fx (x = 0, 5, 9) with precisely controlled amounts of fluorine atoms in the side chains are designed and synthesized, and the effect of side chain fluorination is systematically studied. The results demonstrate that the light absorption, energy levels, molecular ordering, and film morphology could be effectively tuned by precisely controlling the side chain fluorination. DTCBT-F5 with an appropriate fluorine functionalization exhibits suitable miscibility with the donor polymer (PM6), leading to diminished charge recombination and improved charge carrier mobility. Consequently, a promising power conversion efficiency of 12.7% was obtained for DTCBT-F5-based solar cells, which outperforms those OSCs based on DTCBT-F0 (11.4%) and DTCBT-F9 (11.6%), respectively. This work demonstrates that precise control of the fluorine functionalization in side chains of nonfused electron acceptors is an effective strategy for realizing highly efficient OSCs.

General Synthesis of N-Trifluoromethyl Compounds with N-Trifluoromethyl Hydroxylamine Reagents.

N-CF3 compounds constitute valuable targets in medicinal chemistry. Extensive studies have been reported for the preparation of N-CF3 compounds through fluorination and trifluoromethylation of N-containing compounds. The development of new synthetic methods from abundant and easily available substrates is highly desirable but still challenging. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of novel N-Cbz- and N-Boc-N-trifluoromethyl hydroxylamine reagents by silver-mediated oxidative trifluoromethylation. These reagents have been successfully applied to the direct incorporation of a NCF3 moiety into the commonly used unsaturated substrates under photoredox catalysis. This protocol enables the efficient and regioselective C-H trifluoromethylamination of various (hetero)arenes, including complex bioactive molecules. Furthermore, a variety of alkenes, dienes, and isonitriles undergo tandem trifluoromethylamination/functionalization delivering structurally diverse N-trifluoromethyl aliphatic and heteroaromatic amines. Notably, previously unknown cyclic N-CF3 compounds including N-CF3 oxazolidinones and oxazolones were conveniently prepared with N-Boc-N-trifluoromethyl hydroxylamine reagents. Furthermore, diversification of the resulting α-trifluoromethylamino ketones afforded the largely underexplored N-alkenyl- and N-alkynyl-N-CF3 compounds.

Photoredox catalyzed C-H trifluoroethylamination of heteroarenes.

The first C-H trifluoroethylamination of heteroarenes with previously unknown N-trifluoroethyl hydroxylamine reagents was achieved under photoredox catalyzed conditions. In the presence of an iridium(III) photoredox catalyst, a variety of heteroarenes, such as indoles, benzofurans, and benzothiophenes, were smoothly converted to the trifluoroethylaminated products in moderate to high yields and with excellent regioselectivity.

Copper-catalyzed chemoselective C-H functionalization of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with hexafluoroisopropanol.

An unexpected three-component reaction of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones, tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (TBPB), and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) is described. Under CuBr-catalyzed and TBPB-oxidized conditions, a variety of hydroxyhexafluoroisobutylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were formed. Furthermore, the first hexafluoroisopropoxylation of the quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones with HFIP is also demonstrated with Cu2O as the catalyst and PhI(OAc)2 as the oxidant. These new transformations of HFIP furnish previously unknown and potentially useful fluorinated quinoxalin-2(1H)-one derivatives.

Silver-Catalyzed C-H Aryloxydifluoromethylation and Arylthiodifluoromethylation of Heteroarenes.

The oxidative C-H aryloxydifluoromethylation and arylthiodifluoromethylation of heteroaromatic compounds through the decarboxylation of easily accessible aryloxydifluoroacetic acids and arylthiodifluoroacetic acids, respectively, are disclosed. These reactions are promoted by the combination of catalytic AgNO3 and Selectfluor or K2S2O8 to give ArOCF2- and ArSCF2-substituted heteroaromatic compounds in moderate to high yields.

Cascade trifluoromethylthiolation and cyclization of N-[(3-aryl)propioloyl]indoles.

A cascade oxidative trifluoromethylthiolation and cyclization of N-[(3-aryl)propioloyl]indoles with AgSCF3 is described. This protocol allows for the synthesis of novel bis(trifluoromethylthiolated) or trifluoromethylthiolated pyrrolo[1,2-a]indol-3-ones in moderate to good yields. Mechanistic investigations indicated that radical processes were probably involved in these transformations.

Bisphenol AF exerts estrogenic activity in MCF-7 cells through activation of Erk and PI3K/Akt signals via GPER signaling pathway.

The negative health effects of bisphenol A (BPA) due to its estrogenic activity result in the increasing usage of alternative bisphenols (BPs) including bisphenol AF (BPAF). To comprehensive understand health effects of BPAF, the MCF-7 cells were used to investigate the effects of BPAF on cell proliferation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and calcium ion (Ca2+) level. The molecular mechanisms of cell biological responses caused by BPAF were investigated by analyzing target protein expression. The results showed that low-concentration BPAF induces significant effects on MCF-7 cells, including promoting cell proliferation and elevating intracellular ROS and Ca2+ levels. BPAF in low concentration significantly enhances the protein expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα), G protein-coupled receptor (GPER), c-Myc, and Cyclin D1, as well as increases phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) in MCF-7 cells. After the addition of ERα, GPER, and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, phosphorylations of Erk and Akt were both inhibited. In addition, specific signal inhibitors significantly attenuated the effects of BPAF. Silencing of GPER also markedly decreased BPAF induced cell proliferation. The present results suggested that BPAF can activate PI3K/Akt and Erk signals via GPER, which, in turn, stimulate cellular biological effects induced by BPAF. ERα also plays a critical role in BPAF induced cellular biological effects.

Synthesis of CMe2CF3-Containing Heteroarenes via Tandem 1,1-Dimethyltrifluoroethylation and Cyclization of Isonitriles.

A tandem 1,1-dimethyltrifluoroethylation and cyclization of isonitriles with 3,3,3-trifluoro-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid was developed. This protocol provides the efficient synthesis of a series of previously unknown CMe2CF3-containing heteroarenes, which are potentially useful in the drug discovery process.

Transition metal free decarboxylative fluoroalkylation of N-acrylamides with 3,3,3-trifluoro-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid (TFDMPA).

A novel transition metal-free decarboxylative fluoroalkylation of activated alkenes and C-H functionalization cascade process has been developed. This approach provides an efficient way to construct valuable 1,1-dimethyl-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl substituted oxindoles.

Transition-Metal-Free Decarboxylation of 3,3,3-Trifluoro-2,2-dimethylpropanoic Acid for the Preparation of C(CF3)Me2-Containing Heteroarenes.

The direct synthesis of C(CF3)Me2-substituted heteroarenes by decarboxylative 1,1-dimethyltrifluoroethylation of heteroarenes with 3,3,3-trifluoro-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid is reported. This method does not need the transition-metal catalyst, and the base is crucial for this reaction. A series of previously unknown C(CF3)Me2-containing heteroarenes were obtained in high yields and have potential applications in the drug discovery process.

Copper-Catalyzed Sulfenylation, Sulfonylation, and Selenylation of 2,3-Allenoic Acids with Disulfides or Diselenides.

The efficient copper-catalyzed sulfenylation and selenylation of 2,3-allenoic acids with disulfides or diselenides were developed, respectively. These reactions proceeded through tandem radical addition/intramolecular cyclization processes, affording a series of 4-sulfenylated and 4-selenylated butenolides in moderate to excellent yields. Moreover, 4-sulfonylated butenolides could also be obtained by sulfenylation of 2,3-allenoic acids and subsequent oxidation. Further transformation of the sulfur- and selenium-containing butenolides afforded the corresponding furan derivatives in good yields.

Tandem trifluoromethylthiolation/aryl migration of aryl alkynoates to trifluoromethylthiolated alkenes.

A trifluoromethylthiolation initiated aryl migration of aryl alkynoates was disclosed. This protocol employs AgSCF3 as the SCF3 source and MeCN as both the solvent and the hydrogen source. This provides a new access to trifluoromethylthiolated alkenes from readily available substrates and reagents.

Copper-Assisted Oxidative Trifluoromethylthiolation of 2,3-Allenoic Acids with AgSCF3.

The oxidative trifluoromethylthiolation of 2,3-allenoic acids with AgSCF3 in the presence of (NH4)2S2O8 and catalytic copper salt was investigated. A series of 4-aryl-2,3-allenoic acids underwent radical trifluoromethylthiolation/intramolecular cyclization to afford ß-trifluoromethylthiolated butenolides, which were conveniently transformed into trifluoromethylthiolated furan derivatives. In contrast, 2-monosubstituted 2,3-allenoic acids were converted into the corresponding 3,4-bis(trifluoromethylthio)but-2-enoic-acids under similar reaction conditions.

Copper-Catalyzed, Stereoselective Bis-trifluoromethylthiolation of Propiolic Acid Derivatives with AgSCF3.

A copper-catalyzed chemo- and stereoselective oxidative bis-trifluoromethylthiolation of propiolic acid derivatives was achieved by using carboxylic acid as the activating group and formic acid as a cosolvent. The reaction of propiolic acid derivatives and AgSCF3 in the presence of (NH4)2S2O8 and catalytic Cu(OAc)2 in MeCN/HCO2H afforded bis-trifluoromethylthiolated acrylic acids in moderate to excellent yields with E selectivity. Further derivatization of the resultant products gave a series of polysubstituted SCF3-containing alkenes.

Synthesis of Trifluoromethylthiolated Alkenes and Ketones by Decarboxylative Functionalization of Cinnamic Acids.

A tunable decarboxylative trifluoromethylthiolation of cinnamic acids with AgSCF3 was developed to afford trifluoromethylthiolated alkenes or ketones by using transition metal-mediated conditions.

Iodine-mediated regioselective synthesis of vinyl triflones from styrenes with CF3SO2Na.

An unexpected regioselective synthesis of vinyl triflones was developed. This iodine-mediated C-H triflylation of styrenes with CF3SO2Na occurred at room temperature affording various vinyl triflones, which could be used for the preparation of other CF3SO2-containing compounds.

Synthesis of 3-fluoroalkenyl-3-trifluoromethyl-2-oxindoles by the reaction of indoline-2,3-diones with difluoromethylene phosphabetaine.

An unprecedent reaction of indoline-2,3-diones and (triphenylphosphonio)difluoroacetate (PDFA) afforded novel 3-fluoroalkenyl-3-trifluoromethyl-2-oxindoles in moderate to excellent yields. These products could be transformed into other trifluoromethylated oxindole derivatives.

Anti-crease finishing of cotton fabrics based on crosslinking of cellulose with acryloyl malic acid.

Maleic acid (MA) has been explored to replace formaldehyde-based dimethylol dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU) for cotton anti-crease finishing. However, the resilience of treated fabrics was not satisfactorily improved. In this study, acryloyl malic acid (AMA) was synthesized and applied on fabrics as a novel crosslinking agent. The results showed that both crease recovery angle and whiteness index of treated samples were higher than those of MA in the presence/absence of catalyst sodium hypophosphite (SHP). Chemical structure of AMA was confirmed by NMR and MS spectra. The possible crosslinking mechanism between AMA and cellulose was investigated by means of (13)C NMR, MS, FTIR and phosphorus content analyses. It was found that AMA could form ester bonds with cellulose by formation of anhydride intermediate. Meanwhile, additional reaction of double bonds on AMA with another molecule or PH of SHP residual has also contributed to the crosslinking. A reaction equation was proposed based on the analyses.

Thioether-promoted direct olefination of polyfluoroarenes catalyzed by palladium.

A methyl(phenyl)sulfane-promoted direct olefination of polyfluoroarenes catalyzed by palladium has been reported. With use of this new thioether ligand, a high reaction efficiency and excellent E/Z ratio of desired olefinated polyfluoroarenes were obtained. This represents a first example of thioether promoted oxidative Heck reaction.

Lewis acid-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of chiral α-fluoroalkyl amines via asymmetric addition of silyl dienolates to fluorinated sulfinylimines.

A tunable and highly regio- and diastereoselective addition of acyclic silyl dienolates 2 to several α-fluoroalkyl sulfinylimines 1 was developed. By appropriate choice of the Lewis acid catalyst, two new chiral α-fluoroalkyl amines 3 and 4 were obtained in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >99 : 1 dr), respectively.