Allylic C–H alkylation with a CF3-containing nucleophile

Abstract

Allylic C-H alkylation of allylarenes with dimethyl 2-trifluoromethylmalonate was successfully developed. The reactions were carried out at room temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2/Ph3P and a stoichiometric amount of 2,6-dimethylbenzoquinone. The reactions avoided defluorination successfully, providing a new method to construct a CF3-containing all-carbon quaternary center.