An efficient pathway toward a novel
class of trifluoromethyl building
blocks was elaborated. The reaction of α-CF3-enamines
with arylaldehydes resulted in direct synthesis of α,β-diaryl-CF3-enones isolated in up to 93% yield as E-isomers.
The possible reaction mechanism was proposed using the Zimmerman–Traxler
model. The reaction of α,β-diaryl-CF3-enones
with hydrazines opens a novel pathway to trifluoromethylated pyrazolines.
Oxidation of pyrazolines with DDQ opened access to totally regioselective
preparation of 3-CF3-pyrazoles isolated in high yield.
Using this strategy, 4-arylated derivatives of known drugs Celebrex,
Mavacoxib, and SC-560 can be synthesized.