A three-component strategy was developed to enable hydrodefluoroamination
of β-trifluoromethyl enones by selectively activating two C(sp3)-F bonds in the trifluoromethyl group. The method involved
a sequence of carbonyl reduction, hydrodefluorination, and defluoroamination
under transition-metal-free conditions. Synthetically useful (E)-stereospecific α-fluoroenamides were obtained in
good yields with diverse functional group tolerance, which could be
easily transformed into valuable organofluorides and heterocycles.
The carbonyl auxiliary exerts both electronic and steric impacts on
the CF3-alkenes, allowing for controllable and selective
defluorination.