Synthesis of ethyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropionate from 2-bromo-3,3, 3-trifluoropropene

A facile synthesis of ethyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropionate is described. Commercially available 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene was used as a starting material, which was allowed to react with bromine to produce 2,2,3-tribromo-1,1,1-trifluoropropane. The resulting tribromide was treated with 3 equiv. of potassium ethoxide, giving rise to ethyl 3,3,3-trifluoropropionate in 60% overall yield in 2 steps. The reaction proceeded via an alkoxide-induced tandem reaction mechanism. (C)2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.