Copper-catalyzed synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthio-substituted ketones.

The CF3S-substituted moiety serves as an important structural element in many bioactive molecules. A versatile copper catalyst that allowed for trifluoromethylthiolation of primary and secondary α-bromoketones is described. The reaction with readily available elemental sulfur and CF3SiMe3 afforded a broad scope and moderate to good yields of α-trifluoromethylthio-substituted ketones. This procedure represents a very operationally simple yet powerful strategy for the synthesis of α-trifluoromethylthio-substituted ketones, a useful and versatile class of synthetic synthons.