Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Difluoromethyl Alkynes from Terminal and Silyl Acetylenes.

An efficient method for the direct C(sp)-H difluoromethylation of terminal alkynes and the desilylation-difluoromethylation of (trimethylsilyl)acetylenes is disclosed. The copper-catalyzed transformation provides access to a wide range of structurally diverse CF2H alkynes in good yields, utilizing a (difluoromethyl)zinc reagent and an organic oxidant. The difluoromethylation of important synthons and API's is showcased. The synthetic utility of these (difluoromethyl)alkynes is demonstrated by selected cycloaddition reactions. Additionally, a slight modification to the reaction conditions allowed the selective preparation of a 2-difluoromethylindole.

Intramolecular nucleophilic addition of carbanions generated from N-benzylamides to cyclopropenes.

An unusual reaction is described, involving a formal intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of bromocyclopropanes with nitrogen ylides generated in situ from N-benzyl carboxamides. It is shown that this reaction involves cyclopropene intermediates and allows for the facile and expeditious preparation of 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-one scaffolds.

Azidodifluoromethanide (N3CF2-): In Situ Generation and Nucleophilic Addition to Aldehydes.

A facile one-pot approach for the azidodifluoromethylation of aldehydes via in situ-generated azidodifluoromethenide (N3CF2-) utilizing commercially available TMSCF2Br and NaN3 is disclosed. The formed O-silyl ether products are obtained in yields of up to 91% in short reaction times at ambient temperature. Examples of both inter- and intramolecular [3 + 2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions of the installed azidodifluoromethyl handles are also presented, demonstrating the prospective synthetic and biochemical functionality and utility.

gem-Halofluorocyclopropanes via [2 + 1] Cycloadditions of In Situ Generated CFX Carbene with Alkenes.

An efficient and operationally simple synthesis of gem-bromofluorocyclopropanes under mild conditions has been developed. The method employs ethyl dibromofluoroacetate (EDBFA) as an accessible and inexpensive source of the bromofluorocarbene (:CFBr) intermediate. The protocol provides the bromofluorocyclopropane products in excellent yields, including examples synthesized in multigram scales. The chlorinated ester, ethyl dichlorofluoroacetate (EDCFA), is also utilized to make the analogous gem-chlorofluorocyclopropanes.

Chemoselective N- and O-Difluoromethylation of 2-Pyridones, Isoquinolinones, and Quinolinones with TMSCF2Br.

An operationally simple protocol for direct N- and O-difluoromethylation of 2-pyridones, quinolinones, and isoquinolinones using commercially available TMSCF2Br is disclosed. The chemoselectivity is modulated by simple variations in temperature, solvent, and strength of the base. Diverse, synthetically relevant functional groups are tolerated, including functional groups that have reported reactivity with TMSCF2Br. Gram-scale reactions to prepare both N- and O-difluoromethyl compounds are included.

Siladifluoromethylation and Deoxo-trifluoromethylation of PV-H Compounds with TMSCF3: Route to PV-CF2- Transfer Reagents and P-CF3 Compounds.

A method for siladifluoromethylation of dialkyl phosphonates and secondary phosphine oxides with TMSCF3 to produce nucleophilic PV-CF2- transfer reagents is disclosed, with multigram scale reactions included. Condition-dependent divergent reactivity under the established conditions is demonstrated by the formation of trifluoromethylphosphines. Both one-pot transformations are operationally simple and employ inexpensive materials. Mechanistic investigations suggest the divergent reactivity originates from a common intermediate, with Li+ concentration directing the chemoselectivity.

Aqueous Base Promoted O-Difluoromethylation of Carboxylic Acids with TMSCF2Br: Bench-Top Access to Difluoromethyl Esters.

A method for the O-difluoromethylation of carboxylic acids using commercially available TMSCF2Br is disclosed. The devised benchtop reaction system is air-stable and offers mild reaction conditions while using readily available reagents and solvents. The method is applicable to both aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids while demonstrating compatibility with a range of commonly encountered functional groups. The difluoromethyl esters of FDA approved drugs and pharmaceutically relevant molecules are also presented, demonstrating the potential for late-stage functionalization.