SCpRh(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric C-H Trifluoromethylalkylation of N-Methoxybenzamides with β- Trifluoromethyl-α,β-Unsaturated Ketones

Org Lett. 2024 Feb 23;26(7):1501-1505. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.4c00177. Epub 2024 Feb 13.

Abstract

Asymmetric C-H trifluoromethylalkylation represents a novel and straightforward synthetic method for the construction of chiral CF3-containing compounds. However, the reported examples remain limited, given the challenges of reactivity and enantioselective control. Herein, we report a SCpRh(III)-catalyzed asymmetric aryl and alkenyl C-H trifluoromethylalkylation reaction with β-trifluoromethyl-α,β-unsaturated ketones. The chiral CF3-bearing adducts were obtained in moderate to good yields with high enantioselectivity (up to 81% yield and 96% ee). The reaction features mild conditions and broad substrate scope. The chiral CF3-bearing products could undergo diverse functional group transformations.