Difluoromethylation and gem-difluorocyclopropenation with difluorocarbene generated by decarboxylation

Abstract

Difluoromethylation of the activated X-H bond (X = N, O and S) and aliphatic thiols, and gem-difluorocyclopropenation of alkynes with difluorocarbene generated in situ from difluoromethylene phosphobetaine (Ph3P(+)CF2CO2(-)) by decarboxylation occurred smoothly without the presence of any base or other additives.