Transition-Metal-Mediated Synthesis of Trifluoroethyl Aryl Ethers

Abstract

A series of well-defined copper(I) fluoroalkoxide complexes, [(phen) 2 Cu][OCH 2 R F ], have been shown to undergo trifluoroethoxylation, pentafluoropropoxylation, and tetrafluoropropoxylation with aryl and heteroaryl bromides to generate the corresponding trifluoroethyl, pentafluoropropyl, and tetrafluoropropyl (hetero)aryl ethers in good to excellent yields. The reaction tolerates a variety of functional groups and demonstrates efficient scalability and practicality.