Nucleophilic Trifluoromethylation of Carbonyl Compounds: Trifluoroacetaldehyde Hydrate as a Trifluoromethyl Source

A feasible nucleophilic trifluoromethylating protocol has been developed using trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate as an atom-economical trifluoromethyl source. The reaction was found to be applicable to the nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of a broad spectrum of carbonyl compounds with satisfactory yields in general. DFT calculations have been performed to provide mechanistic insight into the present and related reactions employing 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methoxyethanol and hexafluoroacetone hydrate.