Elemental sulfur-promoted one-pot synthesis of 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoxazoles and their derivatives.

A novel and direct strategy has been developed for the synthesis of 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoxazoles by reaction of o-aminophenols and 2-bromo-3,3,3-trifluoropropene in the presence of elemental sulfur under metal-free conditions. The scope of this methodology was further extended to the synthesis of the trifluoroethylated benzothiazole and benzoimidazole derivatives. A plausible mechanism was proposed on the basis of isolation and characterization of a thioamide intermediate.

Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl selenoethers and their insecticidal activities.

A simple and efficient protocol for the copper-catalyzed synthesis of aryl or alkyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl selenoethers has been developed. This reaction proceeded smoothly in the presence of CuI/phen as the catalyst, with elemental selenium, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-iodoethane, and NaBH4 as reagents in DMF with a broad scope of functionalized (hetero)aryl or alkyl halides. Different functional groups were tolerated and moderate to excellent yields of 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl selenoethers were obtained.

One-Pot Synthesis of 3-Difluoromethyl Benzoxazole-2-thiones.

A one-pot strategy for the diversified synthesis of 3-difluoromethyl benzoxazole-2-thiones is reported. The reaction of 2-aminophenol, sodium chlorodifluoroacetate, and elemental sulfur in the presence of NaO t-Bu gives exclusively 3-difluoromethyl benzoxazole-2-thiones in good yield (up to 98%). The mechanism of this reaction presumably involves first cyclization of 2-aminophenols with thiocarbonyl fluoride, followed by N-difluoromethylation with difluorocarbene.