Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Aryltrifluoromethylation of Activated Alkenes at Room Temperature

A palladium-catalyzed intramolecular oxidative aryltrifluoromethylation reaction of activated alkenes has been explored. The reaction allows for an efficient synthesis of a variety of CF3-containing oxindoles. Preliminary mechanistic study indicated that the reaction involves a C-sp(3)-Pd-IV(CF3) intermediate, which undergoes reductive elimination to afford a C-sp(3)-CF3 bond.