Direct α-Trifluoromethylthiolation of Carboxylic Acids Enabled by Boron Catalysis

Abstract

AbstractA boron-catalyzed direct α-trifluoromethylthiolation of carboxylic acids was developed. Catalytically generated boron enediolates reacts with electrophilic SCF3 reagent, N-SCF3-phthalimide, to provide α-SCF3 carboxylic acids without the need of substrate pre-activation. The method is applicable to direct modification of bioactive carboxylic acids. Data science analyses provided suitable models for substrate classification as well as yield prediction.