2-Diazo-1-phenyl-2-((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)ethan-1-one (diazo-triflone) (2) is not only a building block but also a reagent. In this study, diazo-triflone, which was originally used for the synthesis of β-lactam triflones as a trifluoromethanesulfonyl (SO2CF3) building block under catalyst-free thermal conditions, is redisclosed as an effective electrophilic trifluoromethylthiolation reagent under copper catalysis. A broad set of enamines, indoles, β-keto esters, pyrroles, and anilines were nicely transformed into corresponding trifluoromethylthio (SCF3) compounds in good to high yields by diazo-triflone under copper catalysis via an electrophilic-type reaction. A coupling-type trifluoromethylthiolation reaction of aryl iodides was also realized by diazo-triflone in acceptable yields.
Keywords: carbines; fluorine; sulfur; triflones; trifluoromethylthiolation.