Palladium-Catalyzed Trifluoromethylation of (Hetero)Arenes with CF3 Br

The CF3 group is an omnipresent motif found in many pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, catalysts, materials, and industrial chemicals. Despite well-established trifluoromethylation methodologies, the straightforward and selective introduction of such groups into (hetero)arenes using available and less expensive sources is still a major challenge. In this regard, the selective synthesis of various trifluoromethyl-substituted (hetero)arenes by palladium-catalyzed C-H functionalization is herein reported. This novel methodology proceeds under comparably mild reaction conditions with good regio- and chemoselectivity. As examples, trifluoromethylations of biologically important molecules, such as melatonin, theophylline, caffeine, and pentoxifylline, are showcased.