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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Protocol for the Synthesis of Ortho-trifluoromethoxylated Aniline Derivatives
Published on: January 19, 2016
Defluorinative functionalization approach led by difluoromethyl anion chemistry
Kensuke Muta1,2, Kazuhiro Okamoto1, Hiroki Nakayama1
1Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Researchers developed a flow chemistry method to convert trifluoromethyl groups into difluoromethyl motifs, addressing concerns about fluorinated compounds. This approach enables diverse functional group transformations for drug and agrochemical discovery.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Fluorine Chemistry
Background:
- Organofluorine compounds are vital in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials.
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) raise environmental and health concerns.
- Trifluoromethyl (CF3) group usage faces regulatory challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a robust method for C(sp3)-F bond transformation.
- To enable defluorinative functionalization of the trifluoromethyl group to difluoromethyl motifs.
- To overcome limitations in selectivity and functional group tolerance for CF3 group modification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized flow chemistry for C(sp3)-F bond defluorinative functionalization.
- Generated and controlled a reactive difluoromethyl anion intermediate.
- Demonstrated diverse functional group transformations under flow conditions.
Main Results:
- Successfully converted trifluoromethyl groups to difluoromethyl motifs.
- Achieved high selectivity and functional group tolerance in transformations.
- Tamed the reactive difluoromethyl anion for controlled reactions.
Conclusions:
- Presented a versatile flow chemistry platform for CF3 to difluoromethyl conversion.
- Overcame challenges in robust C(sp3)-F bond transformations.
- Facilitated drug and agrochemical discovery by providing a safer fluorination strategy.
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