Ni-Catalyzed Reductive Dibenzylation of Trifluoromethylalkenes for CF3-Containing All-Carbon Quaternary Center Construction

Org Lett. 2023 Aug 18;25(32):5995-6000. doi: 10.1021/acs.orglett.3c02102. Epub 2023 Aug 8.

Abstract

A Ni-catalyzed reductive dicarbofunctionalization of α-CF3 styrenes with benzyl bromides has been accomplished. This transformation obviates the commonly facile β-F elimination effectively and enables the creation of CF3-substituted all-carbon quaternary centers of pharmaceutical interests. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest a pathway consisting of benzyl radical addition and subsequent nickel-mediated benzylation of the resulting α-CF3-embedded tertiary C radical.