Facile synthesis of aryl- and alkyl-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methanes

Various arylbis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methanes (1) have been synthesized by reacting the corresponding benzylic halides with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate and then with triflic anhydride. In addition, when the aryl group of 1 is a pentafluorophenyl group, the nucleophilic para-substitution of the aryl group with alkyllithiums and sodium alkoxides occurs. This reaction is useful for the design of new Bronsted acids.