Synthesis of 1-alkyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)azetidines and their regiospecific ring opening toward diverse α-(trifluoromethyl)amines via intermediate azetidinium salts

J Org Chem. 2012 Jul 20;77(14):5982-92. doi: 10.1021/jo300694y. Epub 2012 Jul 6.

Abstract

A convenient approach toward nonactivated 1-alkyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)azetidines as a new class of constrained azaheterocycles was developed starting from ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate via imination, hydride reduction, chlorination, and base-induced ring closure. Furthermore, the reactivity profile of these 2-CF(3)-azetidines was assessed by means of quaternization and subsequent regiospecific ring opening at C4 of the azetidinium intermediates by oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, sulfur, and halogen nucleophiles, pointing to a clear difference in reactivity compared to azetidines bearing other types of electron-withdrawing groups at C2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemical synthesis*
  • Amines / chemistry
  • Azetidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Azetidines / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Salts / chemistry
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Amines
  • Azetidines
  • Salts