Synthesis of trifluoromethylated acetylenes via copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of alkynyltrifluoroborates

A new method for the synthesis of trifluoromethylated acetylenes is developed which involves the copper-catalyzed trifluoromethylation of alkynyltrifluoroborates with an electrophilic trifluoromethylating reagent. This method offers significant advantages such as efficiency and mild and base-free reaction conditions. A plausible mechanism is proposed.