Detrifluoroacetylation Reaction of Trifluoromethyl--diketones: Facile Method for the Synthesis of Succinimide Derivatives and 1,4-Diketones

Currently, a great deal of research efforts are focused on C-C bond activation for development of novel synthetic methodology. In this paper, a detrifluoroacetylation of trifluoromethyl--diketones is described, which allows for the synthesis of succinimides and 1,4-diketones through cascade Michael addition/retro-Claisen reaction and nucleophilic substitution/retro-Claisen reaction. The readily available trifluoromethyl--diketones, wide substrate scope, and mild conditions make this method very practical.