Facile synthesis of (E)-β-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes from halothane (HCFC-123B1)

•We achieved the synthesis of (E)-β-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes.•All reagents used here were easily available and inexpensive.•The products showed high to excellent stereoselectivity.

A practical and convenient synthesis of (E)-β-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes has been achieved by the reaction of commercially available halothane (HCFC-123B1) and hydrazones prepared in advance in situ, in the presence of 1,2-ethylenediamine and a catalytic amount of CuCl2·2H2O at room temperature. The products showed acceptable to high yields and high to excellent stereoselectivity. This handy synthetic method provided easy access to a variety of (E)-β-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes.

Graphical abstractA practical and convenient synthesis of (E)-β-(trifluoromethyl)styrenes has been achieved by the reaction of halothane (HCFC-123B1) and hydrazones in the presence of 1,2-ethylenediamine and a catalytic amount of CuCl2·2H2O at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide