Sandmeyer-Type Trifluoromethylthiolation and Trifluoromethylselenolation of (Hetero)Aromatic Amines Catalyzed by Copper

Aromatic and heteroaromatic diazonium salts were efficiently converted into the corresponding trifluoromethylthio- or selenoethers by reaction with Me4NSCF3 or Me4NSeCF3, respectively, in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper thiocyanate. These Sandmeyer-type reactions proceed within one hour at room temperature, are applicable to a wide range of functionalized molecules, and can optionally be combined with the diazotizations into one-pot protocols.