Cu-Catalyzed Switchable Asymmetric Defluoroalkylation and [3+2] Cycloaddition of Trifluoropropene

Chiral fluorinated amino esters and pyrrolidines are privileged scaffolds in synthetic chemistry and exhibit unique biological properties. We report the facile preparation of these compounds through copper-catalyzed switchable defluoroalkylation and [3 + 2] cycloaddition of trifluoropropene in an asymmetric fashion. The choice of solvent and chiral ligand was crucial for the efficient transformation and exquisite chemoselectivity pattern from identical starting materials that rapidly and reliably incorporate gem-difluoroalkene and trifluoromethyl (CF3) motifs to generate a diverse range of enantioenriched fluorinated building blocks in good to excellent yields with high asymmetric induction.

Automated summary

Chiral fluorinated amino esters and pyrrolidines are important scaffolds in synthetic chemistry with unique biological properties. This study presents a facile method for their preparation through copper-catalyzed defluoroalkylation and cycloaddition reactions, using specific solvents and chiral ligands, leading to the generation of enantioenriched fluorinated building blocks.