Catalytic mutual multicomponent reaction: facile access to α-trifluoromethylthiolated ketones

Abstract

A multicomponent catalytic reaction between ketones, Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) carbonates and trifluoromethylthiolating agents is devised for straightforwardly accessing two products, α-trifluoromethylthiolated ketones and α-methylene β-amino esters in a one pot fashion. Particularly noteworthy is that the trifluoromethylthiolating reagent is employed as both the nitrogen and SCF₃ source initiated by DABCO. This mild one pot strategy enjoys atom- and step-economic attractiveness, for direct introduction of an SCF₃ group onto a variety of acyclic ketones, which have been considered as less effective and less developed substrates.