Traceless N‐Polyfluoroalkylation of Weakly Nucleophilic Nitrogen Containing Compounds

Abstract

Here we report an efficient access to high‐value N‐polyfluoroalkyl anilines, primary polyfluoroalkylamines and N,N‐bis(polyfluoroalkyl)amines, via N‐polyfluoroalkylation of sulfonamides and phthalimide derivatives using sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2). The in situ formation of polyfluoroalkyl fluorosulfonates from commercially available fluorinated alcohols and economical sulfuryl fluoride is highly advantageous given that some polyfluoroalkyl halides are ozone‐depleting substances (ODS) regulated by the Montreal protocol. This general method is applied to the polyfluoroalkylation of a variety of sulfonamides, N‐sulfonyl carbamates and phthalimide with a wide tolerance of functional groups. The process thus provides viable access for industry to N‐(polyfluoroalkyl)anilines as well as primary and secondary N‐(polyfluoroalkyl)amines, which are very valuable but not easily accessible building blocks for life science applications.