Redox-Neutral Coupling of Allyl Alcohols with Trifluoromethyl Ketones via Synergistic Ni-Ti Bimetallic Catalysis.

A redox-neutral coupling of allyl alcohols with trifluoromethyl ketones has been developed via Ni-Ti bimetallic catalysis. This innovative method allows for the efficient synthesis of various β-tertiary trifluoromethyl alcohol-substituted ketones with yields of up to 98%. The reaction is scalable and compatible with a wide range of substrates, including complex bioactive molecules. Mechanistic studies suggest that the rate-determining step involving β-H elimination and the presence of the Ti-based Lewis acid, as well as a hydroxyl group on the substrates, is crucial for driving the reactivity of this transformation.