A new synthesis of trifluoromethyl sulfides utilizing thiocyanates and fluoroform

• An efficient and general way was developed for preparing the most lipophilic SCF3 group.
• The cheap fluoroform has been used as a source of the CF3 group.
• CuCF3 was prepared with no stabilizers (e.g. Et3N/xHF) under atmospheric pressure.
• Aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic (trifluoromethyl)thio derivatives were made.
• RSCF3 are made by reacting thiocyanates, readily made from halides, with CuCF3.

Fluoroform is a potent greenhouse gas which should not be released to the atmosphere. Large amounts of it are stored and wait for new and useful reactions to be based on it. One such general reaction that is described in this paper is its use in preparation of the important organic trifluoromethyl sulfides. Aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic thiocyanates are easy to prepare. They were reacted with fluoroform-based CuCF3 to form the corresponding (trifluoromethyl)thio derivatives.

A very efficient way to add the SCF3 group to all types of molecules.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide