Difluorocarbene-derived trifluoromethylselenolation of benzyl halides

Abstract

Cu-Promoted difluorocarbene-derived trifluoromethylselenolation of benzyl halides with the Ph₃P⁺CF₂CO₂⁻/S_e/F⁻ system is described. Three new carbon–heteroatom bonds, a Se–CF₂ bond, SeCF₂–F bond, and C–SeCF₃ bond, were sequentially formed in the reaction. This work represents the first trifluoromethylselenolation protocol involving an external fluoride for the generation of the key intermediate, CF₃Se⁻ anion.