Copper-catalyzed difunctionalization of activated alkynes by radical oxidation-tandem cyclization/dearomatization to synthesize 3-trifluoromethyl spiro[4.5]trienones.

A copper-catalyzed difunctionalizing trifluoromethylation of activated alkynes with the cheap reagent sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate (NaSO2CF3 or Langlois' reagent) has been developed incorporating a tandem cyclization/dearomatization process. This strategy affords a straightforward route to synthesis of 3-(trifluoromethyl)-spiro[4.5]trienones, and presents an example of difunctionalization of alkynes for simultaneous formation of two carbon-carbon single bonds and one carbon-oxygen double bond.