One-pot two-step sequential transformation: Highly efficient construction of o-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzonitrile substituted oximes ethers

•A facile access to a variety of o-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzonitrile substituted oximes ethers.•One-pot two-step sequential procedure.•Process involving in situ formation of aryl oximes followed by tandem SNAr of pentafluorobenzonitrile via highly selective C4F bond cleavage.•The reaction carried out in aqueous medium.

A practical variety of o-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzonitrile substituted oximes ethers bearing broad functional groups were synthesized in moderate to good yields. The key highlight of this disclosure involving a one-pot two-step tandem procedure in aqueous media: the in situ formation of aryl aldehydes or ketones oximes followed by the SNAr reaction with pentafluorobenzonitrile via the high selective CF bond cleavage.

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