Fe-catalyzed hydroxytrifluoromethylation of α-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with CF3SO2Na: facile access to α,β-bistrifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols

A mild and practical Fe-catalyzed hydroxytrifluoromethylation of alpha-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with CF3SO2Na in the presence of K2S2O8 and air was developed. The reaction proceeded efficiently at room temperature without beta-fluoride elimination and afforded the corresponding alpha,beta-bistrifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols in good to excellent yields.

Automated summary

A mild and practical Fe-catalyzed hydroxytrifluoromethylation of alpha-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes with CF3SO2Na in the presence of K2S2O8 and air has been developed. The reaction proceeds efficiently at room temperature without beta-fluoride elimination, resulting in good to excellent yields of alpha, beta-bistrifluoromethyl tertiary alcohols.