A facile synthesis of CF-containing iminoisobenzofurans copper-catalyzed oxygen trifluoromethylation-cyclization of -vinyl--alkylamide.

A copper-catalyzed oxygen trifluoromethylation of -vinyl--alkylamide using Togni reagent as the trifluoromethyl precursor is demonstrated for the efficient synthesis of trifluoromethyl-containing iminoisobenzofurans. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that free radicals are involved in this process. The advantages of this approach include relatively mild reaction conditions and good functional group tolerance.