Dehydroxylative Trifluoromethylthiolation, Trifluoromethylation, and Difluoromethylation of Alcohols

Summary of main observation and conclusion CF 3 S, CF 3 and HCF 2 groups have been identified as valuable functionalities for drug development. Despite significant accomplishments in the trifluoromethylthiolation, trifluoromethylation and difluoromethylation reactions, directly converting common functional groups into CF 3 S, CF 3 or HCF 2 groups is still highly desirable. Described here is the dehydroxylative trifluoromethylthiolation, trifluoromethylation and difluoromethylation of alcohols promoted by a R 3 P/ICH 2 CH 2 I system. All of these dehydroxylative reactions were achieved under mild conditions via the activation of the hydroxyl group by the R 3 P/ICH 2 CH 2 I system. A wide substrate scope and good functional group tolerance were observed.