Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Protocol for the Synthesis of Ortho-trifluoromethoxylated Aniline Derivatives
Published on: January 19, 2016
Highly Regioselective Trifluoromethylation of Unprotected Phenols and Anilines Enabled by an Engineered P450
Jie Chen1,2,3, Fuquan Yao1, Qian Wang1,2
1Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Conversion and Utilization of Solar Energy, Qingdao New Energy Shandong Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Biofuels, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.
Abstract:
The trifluoromethyl (CF3) group is a pivotal motif in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and functional materials, yet achieving direct and regioselective aromatic C─H trifluoromethylation-especially for phenols and anilines-remains a formidable challenge. Here, we transform a dual-functional small molecule (DFSM)-facilitated P450BM3 peroxizyme into a versatile biocatalytic platform that enables highly ortho-selective trifluoromethylation of diverse phenols and anilines. Through protein engineering, we achieve up to 98% ortho-selectivity for phenol-the first highly selective enzymatic trifluoromethylation reported. The system exhibits broad substrate scope and functional-group tolerance, delivering >99% regioselectivity and over 6700 turnovers for leading substrates. Mechanistic studies confirm a radical pathway and reveal that selectivity is engineered via synergistic mutations-DFSM interactions that pre-organize substrates in a confined active site. This work establishes a programmable strategy to bridge biocatalysis and organofluorine chemistry, offering a sustainable route to valuable fluorinated building blocks.
More Related Videos
10:42Preparation of N-(2-alkoxyvinyl)sulfonamides from N-tosyl-1,2,3-triazoles and Subsequent Conversion to Substituted Phthalans and Phenethylamines
Published on: January 3, 2018
06:34Synthesis of Antiviral Tetrahydrocarbazole Derivatives by Photochemical and Acid-catalyzed C-H Functionalization via Intermediate Peroxides (CHIPS)
Published on: June 20, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Regioselectivity of Electrophilic Additions-Peroxide Effect
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Mechanism
The reaction begins with the nucleophilic addition between a phosphorus ylide and the carbonyl compound. Due to its carbanionic character, phosphorus ylide acts as a strong nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbonyl group. This generates a charge-separated dipolar intermediate called betaine. The negatively charged oxygen atom and...