Nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of anhydrides employing (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane: Synthesis of γ-trifluoromethylated γ-butyrolactones

Fluoride-catalyzed nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of acid anhydrides using CF3SiMe3 provided the corresponding γ-hydroxy-γ-trifluoromethyl-γ-butyrolactones. The utility of these adducts was further demonstrated by treatment with Grignard reagents, leading to γ-trifluoromethylated γ-butyrolactones.