Trifluoromethyl aryl sulfonates (TFMS): An applicable trifluoromethoxylation reagent

Fluorine is probably another favorite hetero-atom for incorporation into small molecules after nitrogen. Among many fluorine-containing groups, trifluoromethyl aryl ethers (ArOCF3) have unique properties in drug design and are difficult to be synthesized, and many different methods were developed to prepare them. A novel one-pot synthesis of o-iodine-aryl trifluoromethyl ethers (ArOCF3I) was described by the reaction of trifluoromethoxylation and iodination with trifluoromethyl aryl sulfonates (TFMS) in this manuscript. The reaction conditions were optimized by screening different solvents, crown ethers, substrates and the ratios and the yields of products were in moderate to high yields (up to 86%). (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.