Direct transfer of tri- and di-fluoroethanol units enabled by radical activation of organosilicon reagents

Nat Commun. 2020 Jun 2;11(1):2756. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16380-9.

Abstract

Trifluoroethanol and difluoroethanol units are important motifs in bioactive molecules, but the methods to direct incorporate these units are limited. Herein, we report two organosilicon reagents for the transfer of trifluoroethanol and difluoroethanol units into molecules. Through intramolecular C-Si bond activation by alkoxyl radicals, these reagents were applied in allylation, alkylation and alkenylation reactions, enabling efficient synthesis of various tri(di)fluoromethyl group substituted alcohols. The broad applicability and general utility of the approach are highlighted by late-stage introduction of these fluoroalkyl groups to complex molecules, and the synthesis of antitumor agent Z and its difluoromethyl analog Z'.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alcohols / chemistry
  • Alkylation
  • Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic
  • Ethanol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Indicators and Reagents / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organosilicon Compounds / chemistry*
  • Trifluoroethanol / chemistry*

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Organosilicon Compounds
  • alkoxyl radical
  • Ethanol
  • 2-fluoroethanol
  • Trifluoroethanol