CsCO-promoted defluorination and functionalization of α-CF carbonyl compounds in the presence of -, -, and/or -nucleophiles.

A simple, efficient, and mild method for defluorination and functionalization of 3,3,3-trifluoro carbonyl compounds has been developed. In the present method, CsCO can easily convert α-trifluoromethyl esters, amides, and ketones into β,β--, - and/or -substituted α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the presence of -, -, and -nucleophiles with moderate to excellent yields, and furthermore, this transformation with α-trifluoromethyl ester and a series of 2-aminophenols can result in benzooxazoles in good yields.