Regioselective Gold-Catalyzed Hydration of CF₃- and SF₅-alkynes

Abstract

The regioselective gold-catalyzed hydration of CF3- and SF5-alkynes is described. The corresponding trifluoromethylated and pentasulfanylated ketones are obtained in up to 91% yield as single regioisomers showcasing the use of CF3 and SF5 as highly efficient directing groups in this reaction. Notably, this transformation represents the first use of CF3- and SF5-alkynes in gold catalysis.