A solvent-free, base-catalyzed domino reaction towards trifluoromethylated benzenes from bio-based methyl coumalate

Abstract

A novel, efficient, and environmentally compatible method for CF₃-substituted benzene production is reported. It sources a bio-based feedstock, employs tBuOK as a catalyst, and is solvent-free. This regioselective approach provides various trifluoromethyl benzenes in good to excellent yields, without any extra oxidant or special care. CO₂ and water are the only byproducts of this process, and the reaction conditions can scale up to gram quantities. The transformation involves an unprecedented tBuOK-catalyzed domino process, and features Michael addition/6π-electrocyclic ring opening/[1,5]-H shift/carba-6π-electrocyclic ring closure/decarboxylative aromatization reactions.