Nucleophilic Addition to <i>N</i>‐Phosphinylimines by Rare‐Earth‐Metal Triflate/Trifluoroacetic Anhydride Activation

Abstract

Hydrated lanthanum triflate has been shown to be an effective and highly active Lewis acid catalyst for nucleophilic addition to N-phosphinylimines in the presence of trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA; see scheme). Unexpectedly, trifluoroacetamide products are produced in a novel process which likely involves consecutive acylation/hydration of N-phosphinylimine substrates and subsequent nucleophilic addition.