Synthesis of difluoromethylated diarylmethanes Fe(OTf)-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-arylethyl phosphates

The Fe(OTf) 3 -catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-arylethyl phosphates with electron-rich (hetero)arenes afforded difluoromethylated diarylmethanes. Control experiments showed that Fe(OTf) 3 behaves as the Lewis acid, and that the phosphate leaving group and o - or p -alkoxy substituents on the substrates are necessary for the Fe(OTf) 3 -catalyzed reaction to proceed under mild conditions. The Fe(OTf) 3 -catalyzed Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-arylethyl phosphates with electron-rich (hetero)arenes afforded difluoromethylated diarylmethanes.