Synthesis of Aryl Tri- and Difluoromethyl Thioethers via a C-H-Thiocyanation/Fluoroalkylation Cascade

An AlCl3-catalyzed C-H thiocyanation was discovered and combined with a Langlois-type trifluoromethylation to afford aryl trifluoromethyl thioethers directly from arenes, N-thiocyanatosuccinimide (NTS) and Ruppert-Prakash reagent. An analogous combination with a copper-mediated difluoromethylation gives access to aryl difluoromethyl thioethers. Both processes proceed with exceptional regioselectivity for the most electron-rich, sterically least hindered position of the arene. The sulfur and fluoroalkyl groups originate from different sources, so that the use of expensive, preformed fluoroalkylthiolation reagents is avoided.