Efficient Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl Amines through a Formal Umpolung Strategy from the Bench-Stable Precursor (Me4 N)SCF3.

Abstract

Reported herein is the one‐pot synthesis of trifluoromethylated amines at room temperature using the bench‐stable (Me4N)SCF3 reagent and AgF. The method is rapid, operationally simple and highly selective. It proceeds via a formal umpolung reaction of the SCF3 with the amine, giving quantitative formation of thiocarbamoyl fluoride intermediates within minutes that can readily be transformed to N‐CF3. The mildness and high functional group tolerance render the method highly attractive for the late‐stage introduction of trifluoromethyl groups on amines, as demonstrated herein for a range of pharmaceutically relevant drug molecules.