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Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Protocol for the Synthesis of Ortho-trifluoromethoxylated Aniline Derivatives
Published on: January 19, 2016
Simple synthesis of alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro-p-tolylacetic acid (CFTA), a new efficient chiral derivatizing agent
Y Takeuchi1, M Konishi, H Hori
1Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Japan. takeuchi@ms.toyama-mpu.ac.jp
Abstract:
The new chiral derivatizing agent, alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro-p-tolylacetic acid (CFTA) (2) was prepared in optically pure form by Candida rugosa lipase (CRL)-mediated kinetic resolution of racemic CFTA ethyl ester (CFTA Et ester) (1). The ester was obtained by fluorination of ethyl alpha-cyano-p-tolylacetate with FClO3. The CFTA method has proven to be significantly superior for enantiomeric excess (e.e.) determinations when compared to the MTPA method, particularly in those compounds that have a remotely disposed chiral center.
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