Silver salts and DBU cooperatively catalyzed nucleophilic addition/cyclization of propargylic alcohols with trifluoromethyl ketones

A general and efficient synthesis of trifluoromethyl substituted 5-alkylidene-1,3-dioxolane using a silver salt and DBU cooperatively catalyzed nucleophilic addition/cyclization of propargylic alcohols and trifluoromethyl ketones is described. The procedure produced 5-alkylidene-1,3-dioxolane derivatives with good to excellent yields and can be used with a broad range of substrates.